Extract

Diana (root †dyw-‘the bright one’ (cf. *Jupiter), originally a moon goddess, contraAltheim, Griechische Götter im alten Rom (1930), 93 ff.), an Italian goddess anciently identified with *Artemis, from whom she took over the patronage of margins and savageness. But the modalities of this evolution remain puzzling (moonlight as the contrary of daylight, and so of civilized life?). Her cult was widespread; see Birt in Roscher, Lex. 1. 1003–4 for details. One of her most famous shrines was on Mt. Tifata near *Capua (Vell. Pat. 2. 25. 4 and elsewhere in literature, supported by much inscriptional evidence); the name Tifata means ‘holm-oak grove’ (Festus (Paul) Glos. Lat. 54), which suits Diana's character as a goddess of the wilderness. Most famous of all was her ancient cult near *Aricia (on the shore of the volcanic lake known as the Mirror of Diana, Speculum Dianae, below the modern Nemi, i.