Bellōna
1.
The Roman goddess of war, in early Latin called Duellona. An old Italian divinity, probably
of Sabine origin. She was supposed to be the wife or sister of Mars, and was identified with
the Greek Enyo (
Ἐνυώ). Her temple, which was situated in
the Campus Martius, outside the old Pomerium, was used for meetings of the Senate when it was
dealing with the ambassadors of foreign nations, or Roman generals who claimed a triumph on
their return from war, for it must be remembered that under such circumstances a general
might not enter the city. The pillar of war (Columna Bellica) stood hard by. It was from
this, as representing the boundary of the enemy's territory, that the Fetialis threw his
lance on declaring war. See
Fetiales.
2.
Quite a different goddess is the Bellona whom the Roman government brought from Comana in
Cappadocia towards the beginning of the first century B.C., during the Mithridatic War. This
Bellona was worshipped in a different locality, and with a service conducted by Cappadocian
priests and priestesses. These Bellonarii moved through the city in procession at the
festivals of the goddess, in black raiment, and shed their own blood at the sacrifice,
wounding themselves for the purpose in the arms and loins with a two-edged axe, and
prophesying amid a wild noise of drums and trumpets.
