Mana

Or Mana Genita, an ancient Italian divinity. When a sacrifice was offered to her, the people used to pray that none of those born in the house should become pious, that is, that none should die.1 The name Mana is of the same root as Manes, and like manis (whence immanis) originally signified good.

It is not impossible that Mana may be the same divinity as Mania.

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References

Notes

  1. Plutarch. Roman Questions, 52.

Sources

  • Isodorus. Origines viii, 11.
  • Macrobius. Saturnalia i, 3.
  • Martianus Capella, ii, 164.
  • Pliny the Elder. Naturalis Historia xxix, 4, 14.58.
  • Servius on Virgil's Aeneid iii, 63.
  • Smith, William. (1870). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. London: Taylor, Walton, and Maberly.

This article incorporates text from Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology (1870) by William Smith, which is in the public domain.