Goddesses of Ancient Rome ~ M

Magna Mater
The Roman name for the Phrygian goddess Cybele, but also an appellation of Rhea. Her full name was Magna Mater deorum Idaea: Great Mother of the gods, and she was worshipped on Mount Ida. Her cult spread through Greece from the 6th to 4th century, and was introduced in Rome in 205 BCE.

Maia
The Roman goddess after whom the month of May is probably named. Offerings were made to her in this month. She is associated with Vulcan, and sometimes equated with Fauna and Ops.

Maiesta
The Roman goddess of honor and reverence, and the wife of the god Vulcan. Some sources say that the month of May is named after her. Others say she is another form of the goddess Maia.

Mania
Mania was known as the Roman goddess of the dead. She is also the guardian of the underworld, together with Mantus. In addition, she is called the mother or grandmother of ghosts. She is also considered the mother of the Lares and Nanes, the gods of the household.

Mare Nostrum
("Our Sea / Our Mother") Mare Nostrum was the Roman name of the Mediterranean Sea.

Marica
An Italian nymph, the consort of Faunus and mother of Latinus (Virgil VII, 47). According to others, she was the mother of Faunus. She possessed a sacred forest near Minturnae (Minturno) on the border of Latium and Campania (Livius XXVII, 37,2). A lake near Minturnae was named after her.

Matronae
The three mother-goddess of Roman mythology who oversee fertility. The are lovers of peace, tranquility and children.

Matuta
The Roman goddess of the dawn. Later she was known as Mater Matuta, the patroness of newborn babes, but also of the sea and harbors. Her temple was situated on the Forum Boarium (the cattle market). Every June 11, the Matralia was celebrated here. This festival was only open to women who were still in their first marriage. She was associated with Aurora and identified with the Greek Eos.

Meditrina
("healer") A Roman goddess of wine and health whose festival, the Meditrinalia, was observed on October 11.

Mefitis
(Mephitis) The Roman goddess who was especially worshipped in volcanic areas, near solfataras (volcanic vents emitting hot gases and vapors) and swamps. She is the personification of the poisonous vapors of the earth., and was called upon to protect against damages and poisonous gases.

Mellona
The Roman divinity who protects the bees. Her name is derived from mel ("honey").

Mena
The Roman goddess of menstruation.

Mens
The Roman goddess of mind and consciousness. Her festival was observed on May 8.

Minerva
The Roman goddess of wisdom, medicine, the arts, dyeing, science and trade, but also of war. As Minerva Medica she is the patroness of physicians. She is the daughter of Jupiter. In the temple on the Capitoline Hill she was worshipped together with Jupiter and Juno, with whom she formed a powerful triad of gods. Another temple dedicated to her was located on the Aventine Hill. The church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva is built on one of her temples. Every year from March 19 - 23 the Quinquatria was held, the primary Minerva-festival. This festival was mainly celebrated by artisans but also by students. On June 13 the minor Quinquatrus was observed. Minerva is believed to be the inventor of numbers and musical instruments. She is thought to be of Etruscan origin, as the goddess Menrva or Menerva. Later she was equated with the Greek Athena.

Moneta
A Roman goddess of prosperity.

Morta
The Roman goddess of death. She is one of the Parcae.

Murcia
A Roman goddess of indistinct origin and of whom is little known. As Murtia she was sometimes equated with Venus. She had a temple in the vale between the Aventine and the Palatine Hill.

Muta
The Roman personification of silence, and its goddess.