The deified attribute for well-being in the Roman religion was Salus, who was depicted as a female deity. Iconographically, she is characterised either enthroned with sceptre, bowl and serpent or standing with ears of grain in her hand. The Greek counterpart to Salus was the goddess Hygieia, whose word meaning is 'health'.
Salus was worshipped in the city Roman temple dedicated to her on Mons Quirinalis. Here, it was less a matter of the physical and health conditions of individuals than of the well-being and security of the Roman state and its inhabitants. In this context, one speaks of Salus publica or Salus populi Romani. In imperial times, this cultic aspect was also extended to the emperor and empress. (AVS)
Former August Kestner Collection, Rome
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