Di Indigetes, the Indigenous Gods of ancient Rome

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Di indigetes (“indigenous gods”) are a group of early Roman gods and spirits that were not incorporated into other faiths.

Related articles: The full list of the Roman Gods and Deities

The di indigetes or indigites, as opposed to the di novensides, were Roman deities that weren’t borrowed from other faiths, to use Georg Wissowa’s definition. Most of them are minor deities, often born as personifications of an abstract quality. Early Roman religion is animistic, without priests, a private religion where each person invokes one god or another according to his or her needs.

Related article: the full list of the all Roman deities with description, history and functions

Abundantia, Janus and Quirinus are the most important of indigetes. The di indigites are frequently mentioned with di patrii in lists of regional deities in Augustan literature.

Featured image: Jupiter and Juno on Mount Ida, painting by James Barry, Sheffield, Art Galleries

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