Pilumnus was the deity of nature, the brother of Picumnus. He took care of the health and proper growth of children. After the baby was born, the ancient Romans made an extra bed to ensure Pilumnus’ help. To Pilumnus, mankind was also supposed to owe the ability to grind grain.
Together with the goddesses Intercidona and Deverra, he defended the home of birthing women against the harmful forest deity Silvanus. The deity was honoured by the ceremony of driving a javelin, stake, or stake into the ground.
Sources
- Kempiński Andrzej, Encyklopedia mitologii ludów indoeuropejskich, Warszawa 2001
- Schmidt Joël, Słownik mitologii greckiej i rzymskiej, Katowice 1996
