McClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Consus

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McClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Consus


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(is thought to be derived from conditus, "hidden," or from consulo, "to advise") was an ancient Roman god, probably to be referred to the worship of the deities in the infernal regions. When the Roman state was threatened with destruction, because of a scarcity of women, Romulus decided on the rape of the Sabine girls. He pretended to have found hidden in the earth an altar of an unknown god, in whose honor plays were to be celebrated, and for this purpose all neighboring nations were invited. In memory of the success of the scheme there was a yearly festival held, called Consualia, at the celebration of which an altar was dug from the earth and plays were performed.