Aius Locutius
Encyclopedia
Aius Locutius or Aius Loquens , was a Roman
deity or numen
associated with the Gallic invasions
of Rome during the early 4th century BC.
According to legend, a Roman plebeian
named M. Caedicius heard a supernatural, nocturnal voice that issued from Vesta's
sacred grove, at the base of the Palatine hill
. It warned him of an imminent Gaulish attack, recommended that the walls of Rome be fortified and instructed him to pass these messages on to the tribune of the plebs; but because of the messenger's humble station, the message was ignored. In consequence, the Gauls entered and burned the city (c.391 BC). Once the Gauls were repelled, the senate built a temple and altar (known as Ara Aius Locutius, or Ara Saepta) to propitiate the unknown deity who had offered the warning. This was said to have been set up where Caedicius had heard the divine voice. Later Roman historians disputed its exact location and no trace remains of the temple or altar; the latter has been historically misidentified with the Palatine altar inscribed si deus si dea
("whether God or Goddess"), in cautious dedication to some unknown deity.
In the broad context of official Roman religion
, Aius Locutius is exceptional. Officially, the gods might speak through the cryptic writings and utterances of specialised oracles, or through a complex system of signs in answer to the specific questions of State augurs. They might also grant signs of fortune to their most favoured proteges, or speak privately to them in dreams. Aius Locutius gave clear, urgent instructions of great importance to the State, in everyday Latin, to an ordinary plebeian passer-by – and thereafter, according to Cicero
, "having acquired a temple, an altar, and a name, 'Speaker' never spoke again".
Roman mythology
Roman mythology is the body of traditional stories pertaining to ancient Rome's legendary origins and religious system, as represented in the literature and visual arts of the Romans...
deity or numen
Numen
Numen is a Latin term for a potential, guiding the course of events in a particular place or in the whole world, used in Roman philosophical and religious thought...
associated with the Gallic invasions
Battle of the Allia
The Battle of the Allia was a battle of the first Gallic invasion of Rome. The battle was fought near the Allia river: the defeat of the Roman army opened the route for the Gauls to sack Rome. It was fought in 390/387 BC.-Background:...
of Rome during the early 4th century BC.
According to legend, a Roman plebeian
Plebs
The plebs was the general body of free land-owning Roman citizens in Ancient Rome. They were distinct from the higher order of the patricians. A member of the plebs was known as a plebeian...
named M. Caedicius heard a supernatural, nocturnal voice that issued from Vesta's
Vesta (mythology)
Vesta was the virgin goddess of the hearth, home, and family in Roman religion. Vesta's presence was symbolized by the sacred fire that burned at her hearth and temples...
sacred grove, at the base of the Palatine hill
Palatine Hill
The Palatine Hill is the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome and is one of the most ancient parts of the city...
. It warned him of an imminent Gaulish attack, recommended that the walls of Rome be fortified and instructed him to pass these messages on to the tribune of the plebs; but because of the messenger's humble station, the message was ignored. In consequence, the Gauls entered and burned the city (c.391 BC). Once the Gauls were repelled, the senate built a temple and altar (known as Ara Aius Locutius, or Ara Saepta) to propitiate the unknown deity who had offered the warning. This was said to have been set up where Caedicius had heard the divine voice. Later Roman historians disputed its exact location and no trace remains of the temple or altar; the latter has been historically misidentified with the Palatine altar inscribed si deus si dea
Si deus si dea
Si deus si dea is an Archaic Latin phrase meaning "whether god or goddess", used to address a deity of unknown gender. It was also written sive deus sive dea, sei deus sei dea, or sive mas sive femina ....
("whether God or Goddess"), in cautious dedication to some unknown deity.
In the broad context of official Roman religion
Religion in ancient Rome
Religion in ancient Rome encompassed the religious beliefs and cult practices regarded by the Romans as indigenous and central to their identity as a people, as well as the various and many cults imported from other peoples brought under Roman rule. Romans thus offered cult to innumerable deities...
, Aius Locutius is exceptional. Officially, the gods might speak through the cryptic writings and utterances of specialised oracles, or through a complex system of signs in answer to the specific questions of State augurs. They might also grant signs of fortune to their most favoured proteges, or speak privately to them in dreams. Aius Locutius gave clear, urgent instructions of great importance to the State, in everyday Latin, to an ordinary plebeian passer-by – and thereafter, according to Cicero
Cicero
Marcus Tullius Cicero , was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the equestrian order, and is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.He introduced the Romans to the chief...
, "having acquired a temple, an altar, and a name, 'Speaker' never spoke again".