Talassio

A Sabine god of marriage who was invoked in the priestly books (indigitamenta). The bride was conducted to her husband's house and fescennine songs were sung during the procession, with interjections of talasse (wedding salutations). The name may derive from talasia (spinning) from talasus, a wool-basket, as symbolizing the household work most typical of the Roman matron.

In later accounts Talasius was a friend of Romulus and played a role in the rape of the Sabine women. To prevent anyone from approaching and trying to wrest the maiden from them, they shouted continually that she was being brought as a wife for Talasius (Talasio), hence the proverbial use of his name at all marriages.

References

Sources

  • Catullus, 61, 134.
  • Livy. History of Rome i, 9.12.
  • Plurarch. Quaestiones Romanae, 31.