In Roman mythology, Virtus was the deity of courage and military strength, the personification of Roman virtus (virtue, valor).
Her Greek equivalent was Arete. The goddess was commonly venerated with the Roman god Honos, who represents honor, including in the Temple of Virtus and Honos near the Porta Capena in Rome. The god was shown in a number of forms, such as a matron, an old man, a young man, with a javelin, a combat helmet, or just wearing a cape, on the coins of Tetricus. In the world of funeral reliefs, virtue is never displayed alone. They frequently serve as a complement and support to the relief’s protagonist during a period of particularly powerful masculinity or courage.
Featured image: Coin minted by Trajan depicting Virtus with parazonium 98-117 CE
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