Goddesses of Ancient Rome ~ S

Salacia
A Roman sea goddess. The god Neptune wanted to marry her, but she ran off and hid from him in the Atlantic ocean. Neptune sent a dolphin to look for her and when the animal found her it brought her back to him. Salacia then agreed to marry Neptune, and the dolphin was awarded a place in the heavens. Salacia bore Neptune three children and is identified with the Greek god, Amphitrite.

Salus
Salus ("salvation") is the personified Roman goddess of health and prosperity, both of the individual and the state. As Salus Publica Populi Romani ("goddess of the public welfare of the Roman people") she had a temple on the Quirinal, inaugurated in 302 BCE (Livius X, 1, 9). Later she became more a protector of personal health. Around 180 BCE sacrificial rites in honor of Apollo, Aesculapius, and Salus took place there (Livius XL, 19). Her attribute was a snake or a bowl and her festival was celebrated on March 30. Salus is identified with the Greek Hygieia.

Securitas
The personification of security, and its goddess. She was invoked to ensure the stability of the Roman empire.

Semonia
The Roman goddess of sowing.

Sentia
The Roman goddess who brought about a young child's first awareness.

Sibyl
In ancient times a prophetess who, in a state of ecstasy and under influence of Apollo, prophesized without being consulted. Famous Sibyls are the Cumaean Sibyl and the Erythraean Sibyl, who revealed to Alexander the Great his divine descent. The Cumaean Sibyl owned, according to tradition, nine books of prophecies, which she sold the remaining three to the Roman king Tarquin.

Spes
The personified Roman goddess of hope. She had a sanctuary on the vegetable market. Spes is portrayed as a young woman holding a cornucopia and a flower.

Stata Mater
The Roman goddess who guards against fires, and was thus associated with Vulcan. She was at times equated with Vesta. A statue of Stata Mater was located on the Forum.

Stella Maris
Star of the Sea. Epithet of Isis, Ishtar, Aphrodite, Venus, Mari-Anna and the Virgin Mary.

Stimula
The Roman goddess who incites passion in women (especially in the Bacchae). She is equated with the Greek Semele.

Strenua
The Roman goddess of strength and vigor, of Sabine origin. She was worshipped in Rome at the beginning of the new year. Her sanctuary was in the Via Sacra.