Concordia
In ancient Roman religion, Concordia is the goddess who embodies agreement in marriage and society. Her Greek equivalent is usually regarded as Harmonia.[1] To people in the Roman empire, the idea of musical harmony meant people agreeing with each other and treating each other well even if they did not agree with each other.[2] Concordia represented unity, agreement, and peaceful coexistence among members or classes of the Roman state.[2]
She was often associated with Pax (the goddess of peace) in representing a stable society.
Depictions in art and numismatics
In Roman art, Concordia was shown sitting, wearing a long cloak, and holding various symbols.
- Patera: A sacrificial bowl.
- Cornucopia: A symbol of prosperity.
- Caduceus: A symbol of peace.
She was often shown between two other figures, such as members of the Imperial family shaking hands. She was also shown with pairs of female deities, since as Pax and Salus or Securitas and Fortuna. Sometimes, she was shown with Hercules and Mercury, who meant security and luck.[3]
Temples
The oldest Temple of Concord, built in 367 BC by Marcus Furius Camillus, was on the Roman Forum.[4] Other temples and shrines dedicated to Concordia were near the main temple, which showed how important she was to Roman people.
References
- ↑ Clark, Anna J. (2007). Divine qualities: cult and community in republican Rome. Oxford classical monographs. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-19-171027-8.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Noreña, Carlos F. (2011). Imperial ideals in the Roman West: representation, circulation, power. Cambridge New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-00508-2.
- ↑ Claridge, Amanda; Toms, Judith; Cubberley, Tony (2010). Rome: an Oxford archaeological guide. Oxford archaeological guides (2nd ed., rev. and expanded ed.). Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-954683-1.
- ↑ "1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Concordia (goddess) - Wikisource, the free online library". en.wikisource.org. Retrieved 2025-06-14.