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What was the purpose of the mundus?

Roman Republic | Respublica Romana > Forums > Sacra Publica | Public & community aspects the Roman Religion > Cultus Deorum Romanorum | Ancient Roman Religion > What was the purpose of the mundus?

This topic contains 3 replies, has 2 voices, and was last updated by  Gaius Florius Lupus 4 months, 3 weeks ago.

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  • August 24, 2020 at 9:31 am #39225

    Spurius Gallonius Catulus
    Denarii: 𐆖 471.73
    Plebeius
    California Citerior
    Praetor

    Salvete

    I was viewing the calendar and noticed today is Mundus Patet.

    Do any of you observe this day? If so, how?

    The mundus was very old and in the center of Rome. It persisted until today as a ruin. So it was never destroyed, so it is safe to assume it was very important to the Romans. Considering this, why was opening it on set days important? What was the meaning behind this?

    Has any thought been put into how to restore the mundus for our sacra publica? I assume Praetor Varro might have ideas (wink), I would be very interested to see the ideas of others as well on this topic!

    What is up with the mundus????

    August 24, 2020 at 1:47 pm #39230

    Gaius Florius Lupus
    Denarii: 𐆖 236.85
    Patricius
    No Province

    Salve Catule!

    The mundus was supposed to be an entrance into the underworld (orcus). On this day the entrance was opened in order to provide an opportunity to sacrifice to the chthonic gods. If you want to do a sacrifice to Dis or Proserpina, this would be the right day.

    Vale!

    August 30, 2020 at 4:31 am #39253

    Spurius Gallonius Catulus
    Denarii: 𐆖 471.73
    Plebeius
    California Citerior
    Praetor

    Thank you for considering this question.

    Do we have evidence that Dis Pater or Proserpina were associated with the mundus? Also why where these three days of the year significant and require the mundus to be opened? Also, are we looking at restoring the mundus? Has this been considered?

    I would love to hear other ideas and see what sources are out there. I have failed to find much, sadly. I see that the Etruscans likely created the first mundus. But I have burning questions on this topic that have not been satisfied! 🙂

    August 30, 2020 at 9:22 am #39259

    Gaius Florius Lupus
    Denarii: 𐆖 236.85
    Patricius
    No Province

    Dis Pater and Proserpina were simply the first chthonic gods coming to my mind. I know that the mundus in Rome was called Mundus Cereris, but I would assume that this is due to the mythological background, since Ceres descended into the Underworld, when she tried to retrieve her daughter Proserpina. It makes sense to name the entrance after her, since she was one of the few known to have used it.

    This article has more information about the Roman mundus: http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Journals//JRS/2/Mundus*.html

    Vale!

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