Minerva

Minerva

Minerva. The name of the Roman goddess of wisdom, invention, and the martial arts was applied by imperial-minded interpretatio romana (see GAUL) to an indigenous deity of the colonized Celts. Julius Caesar (1st cent. BC) estimated that, while Gaulish Minerva was one of the most esteemed of native gods, she ranked lower than Mercury, Apollo, Mars, and Jupiter. She was thought to teach the first principles of the arts. Her worship was also known in Roman Britain, where the geographer Solinus (2nd cent. AD) described her sanctuary as possessing a perpetual fire, thus earning her the epithet Belisama [most brilliant]. More importantly, the cult of Minerva became conflated with that of the British healing goddess Sulis, especially at the spring at Bath, known as Aquae Sulis in Roman times. The name of the indigenous goddess, Sulis-Minerva or Sul-Minerva, always takes first place in inscriptions. The large gilded bronze head of Sulis-Minerva that survives at Bath, ripped from its torso with helmet severed, indicates that the goddess was portrayed there in classical dress. Minerva also appears to contribute to the conception of the British goddess Brigantia and the Irish fire-goddess Brigit. See also ATHENA; SULEVIAE.

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JAMES MacKILLOP. "Minerva." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES MacKILLOP. "Minerva." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-Minerva.html

JAMES MacKILLOP. "Minerva." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-Minerva.html

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Minerva

Minerva , in Roman religion, goddess of handicrafts and the arts. Probably of Etruscan origin, she was worshiped in various parts of ancient Rome, most notably with Jupiter and Juno in the great Capitoline temple. Her temple on the Aventine Hill was a meeting place for skilled artisans, actors, and writers. She was identified with the Olympian Athena.

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"Minerva." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Minerva." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Minerva.html

"Minerva." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Minerva.html

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Minerva

Minerva in Roman mythology, the goddess, originally of weaving and other crafts, later of wisdom, creativity, and prowess in war, from ancient times identified with the Greek Athene; her symbol is an owl. She is said to have been born fully-armed from the head of Jupiter. (See also invita Minerva.)

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Minerva." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Minerva." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Minerva.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Minerva." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Minerva.html

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Minerva

Minerva Roman goddess of the arts, professions and handicrafts, whose cult is believed to have originated in Etruria. She was identified with the Greek goddess Athena, and so became goddess of wisdom and later of war.

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"Minerva." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Minerva." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Minerva.html

"Minerva." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Minerva.html

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Minerva

Minervadisapprover, hoover, improver, louvre (US louver), manoeuvre (US maneuver), mover, outmanoeuvre (US outmaneuver), reprover, Suva, Tuva, Vancouver •cover, Glover, hardcover, lover, plover, undercover •vulva • triumvir • slipcover • Cordova •baklava • helluva • Ulanova • Genova •Vaishnava • Ostrava • Vltava •fervour (US fervor), Minerva, Nerva, observer, server, swerver •time-server

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"Minerva." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Minerva." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Minerva.html

"Minerva." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-Minerva.html

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