Laverna
Laverna, the goddess of gain, patroness of rogues and thieves
- the patron goddess of gain (lawful or unlawful), and hence especially of rogues and thieves, Nov. ap. Non. 483, 21 (Com. Fragm. v. 105 Rib.); Plaut. Aul. 3, 2, 31 (445): mihi, Laverna, in furtis celerassis manus, id. Fragm. ap. Non. 134, 32; Lucil. ib. 135, 1: pulcra Laverna, da mihi fallere, da justo sanctoque videri, Hor. Ep. 1, 16, 60: Laverna in via Salaria lucum habet, Est autem dea furum et simulacrum ejus fures colunt, et qui consilia sua volunt tacita, nam preces ejus cum silentio exercentur, Schol. Cruq. ad Hor. l. l.—Hence,
- II Lăvernālis, e, adj., of or belonging to Laverna, Lavernal: Porta, a gate in Rome where stood an altar of Laverna, Varr. L. L. 5, § 163 Müll.; Paul. ex Fest. s. h. v. p. 117 Müll.
the protecting divinity of thieves and impostors; a grove was sacred to her on the via Salaria, and she had an altar near the porta Lavernalis, which derived its name from her. (Arnob. ad v. Gent. 3.26; Nonius, 8.6; Acron, ad Horat. Ep. 1.16, 60; Varro, De L. L. 5.163; Fest. s. v. Laverniones.) The name of this divinity, which is said to be a contraction of Lativerna, is, according to some, connected with the verb latere, or with the Greek λαβεῖν and the Sanscrit labh, but it is more probably derived from levare and levator (a thief). See Petron. 140; Obbarius, ad Horat. Ep. 1.16. 60. [L.S]
- 2 LV-, the goddess of gain, patroness of rogues and thieves: pulchra, H.
The Roman goddess of thieves and impostors ( Epist. i. 16, 60), from whom the Porta Lavernalis derived its name. A grove on the Via Salaria was consecrated to her. See Petron. 140.