Dis (Dis Pater, Dispater) Roman The richest of the ancient Roman gods; a god or king of the Underworld (2), the realm of the dead.

Dis (Dis Pater, Dispater) Roman The richest of the ancient Roman gods; a god or king of the Underworld (2), the realm of the dead. Dis's wealth came from his possession of the precious metals and gemstones hidden beneath the Earth's surface, part of the kingdom of the underworld. Dis was the husband of Proserpina, goddess or queen of the underworld. They were honored together in hymns, songs, and ceremonies that featured singing by 27 virgins. The people of Rome held athletic games once a century to honor Dis and to bring protection against pestilence, plague, and death. One popular story tells of a father who went out in search of the gods to help his children, who had fallen seriously ill from a plague. In his journeys, the father found a hot spring flowing near the Tiber River. When he searched for the source of the water, he found a cave in which stood an altar to Dis and Proserpina.