Day 88

Eric Clapton born (1945)

Event Date: March 30, 1945

Event Type: Birthday

March 30th - The Festival of Salus - the Roman goddess of public safety and welfare.

Salus

by Micha F. Lindemans

Salus ("salvation") is the personified Roman goddess of health and prosperity, both of the individual and the state. As Salus Publica Populi Romani ("goddess of the public welfare of the Roman people") she had a temple on the Quirinal, inaugurated in 302 BCE (Livius X, 1, 9). Later she became more a protector of personal health. Around 180 BCE sacrificial rites in honor of Apollo, Aesculapius, and Salus took place there (Livius XL, 19). Her attribute was a snake or a bowl and her festival was celebrated on March 30. Salus is identified with the Greek Hygieia.