Statue of goddess Mater Matuta

Statue of the Roman goddess Mater Matuta from the Etruscan city of Chiusi. The object is dated to the 4th century BCE. In the Roman religion, Mater Matuta was the goddess of ripening grain, morning and fertility. 

Her feast – Matralia – took place on June 11 and spread throughout Italy. The main celebration took place at her temple in Rome at the Forum Boarium. Interestingly, the celebration was attended only by women in their first marriage, who prayed for their nieces and nephews.

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Conquest of Italy by Rome Gallic Wars Augustus Lucius Licinius Lucullus Jewish war