In ancient Roman religion, a Bidental was a sacred shrine erected on the spot where lightning had struck.
In ancient Roman religion, a Bidental was a sacred shrine erected on the spot where lightning had struck.
Any remains and scorched earth at the spot were to be burned in a hole at the location by priests called bidentales. Any person killed by the bolt was to be buried in the earth where the lightning hit, as opposed to traditional cremation.
A puteal (wellhead), one or sometimes more, was then placed on the spot of burned earth. In order to further consecrate the site, the officiant would sacrifice a two-year-old sheep (called a bidens). Finally, an altar was built, and surrounded by a wall or fence to keep any trespassers away. Occasionally when falling into a state of decay, Bidentals would be repaired or reconstructed.
Considered sacred space, a Bidental was not to be touched, trod upon, or even looked at after completion.
Places being struck by lightning were regarded as a terrifying example of divine wrath, and not to be taken lightly. Had a person committed sacrilege, they were punished severely with frenzy. Primarily, it was believed that these shows of divine power were displayed specifically by Jupiter, Roman god of the sky and thunder as well as king of the gods.
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The vocabulary of ancient Roman religion was highly specialized. Its study affords important information about the religion, traditions and beliefs of the ancient Romans. This legacy is conspicuous in European cultural history in its influence on later juridical and religious vocabulary in Europe, particularly of the Western Church. This glossary provides explanations of concepts as they were expressed in Latin pertaining to religious practices and beliefs, with links to articles on major topics such as priesthoods, forms of divination, and rituals.
Oggar, the World's Mightiest Immortal, is a fictional character from the publisher Fawcett Comics, whose publication rights were acquired by DC Comics in the 1970s. Oggar was a villain of Captain Marvel chronology in Pre-Crisis; he made no Post-Crisis appearances. He first appeared in Captain Marvel Adventures # 61. His first appearance in DC Comics was in World's Finest Comics # 264.
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