Quirinus

(Quirinius) Roman An ancient god, perhaps of warfare or of citizenship. The surviving information on Quirinus is confusing and sketchy. Roman historians and poets and modern scholars disagree over just what role he played in Roman society. Quirinus was the third most important god in the pantheon of early Rome, behind Jupiter and Mars. These three were honored together as a trio of the most powerful deities, though Juno and Minerva eventually replaced Quirinus and Mars. Much information remains about Jupiter and Mars, including their connection to Greek mythology, but Quirinus was not associated with a Greek counterpart. The details of his origin faded from popularity, and much has been lost. A cult to Quirinus centered on the Quirinal Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome, named in his honor. A huge temple to Quirinus stood on that hill. The people of Rome celebrated his festival, known as the Quirinalia, on February 17. Some scholars and stories suggest that Quirinus was the peaceful side of the Roman god of war, Mars: not the soldier, but the citizen. The name Quirinus may have come from the Roman word for citizen, quirite. Like Mars, Quirinus may have begun as a god of the Sabine people (see Sabines). Some histories of Rome say that Quirinus was the name given to Romulus, the twin brother of Remus and founder of Rome, when he transformed from a mortal into a god.