bonA deA

(The good goddess) Roman A prominent goddess of women, ultimately seen as a version of Mother Earth. The goddess was known for her influence over good health, fertility, and fecundity, which is the ability to have many offspring. People called upon Bona Dea to influence these aspects of life in agriculture and in the family. Bona Dea also brought strength to slaves and was a goddess of freed slaves. Some historians and poets equated her with the goddess Fauna, which would have made Bona Dea the sister or daughter of the god of fertility, Faunus. In this role, she was also known as Fenta Fatua. Bona Dea was honored in a ceremony in early December, where the female head of a household would gather the other women of the family and they would close themselves in a room, away from the men, where they would conduct the ritual. A temple to the goddess stood on the Aventine Hill. Here, Vestal Virgins worshipped Bona Dea and in May, a special priestess offered sacrifices to her for the protection and service she would provide to the state of Rome. Men were not allowed to participate in these services.