Pomona

• The goddess of fruit and fruit-trees, Pomona, Varr. L. L. 7, § 45 Müll.; Ov. M. 14, 623; Serv. Verg. A. 7, 190; Arn. 3, p. 118.—
• • B Transf., fruit-trees, fruit (post-Aug.), Plin. 23 prooem. 1, § 1: Thyle larga et diutina Pomona copiosa est, Sol. 22 med.—
• II Derivv.
• • A ‡ Pōmōnal, ālis, n., the temple of Pomona, Fest. p. 250 Müll.—
  • B Pōmōnālis, e, adj., of or belonging to Pomona, Pomonal: flamen, Varr. L. L. 7, § 45 Müll.; cf. Fest. s. v. maximae dignationis, pp. 154 and 155 Müll.

the Roman divinity of the fruit of trees, hence called Pomorum Patrona. Her name is evidently connected with Pomum. She is represented by the poets as having been beloved by several of the rustic divinities, such as Silvanus, Picus, Vertumnus, and others (Ov. Met. 14.623, &c.; Propert. 4.2. 21, &c.; Serv. ad Aen. 7.190). Her worship must originally have been of considerable importance, as we learn from Varr (De L. L. 7.15) that a special priest, under the name of flamen Pomonalis, was appointed to attend to her service (comp. Plin. Nat. 23.1). It is not impossible that Pomona may in reality be nothing but the personification of one of the attributes of Ops. (Hartung, Die Relig. d. Röom. vol. ii. p. 133, &c.) [L.S]

• pomum, the goddess of fruit and fruit-trees, Pomona, O.

An old Italian divinity presiding over the fruit of trees (poma). Her service was performed by a special priest (flamen Pomonalis), and she had a special sanctuary (Pomonal) between Ardea and Ostia. See Varro, L. L. vii. 45, and Vertumnus.