Summanus

In Roman mythology, Summanus was the god of nocturnal thunder, as opposed to Jupiter, the god of diurnal (daylight) thunder. Summanus' temple stood at the Circus Maximus, and every June 20th cakes were offered to him as propitiation. His name can be derived from the Latin sub-manus (cf. mane, Matuta) for "preceding the morning". Though it was once widely speculated to be from Summus Manium "the greatest of the Manes". [1]

Featured in the Milton poem "In Quintum Novembris" in his description of Satan visiting Rome.

"Just so Summanus, wrapped in a smoking whirlwind of blue flame, falls upon people and cities"

This article relating to an Ancient Roman myth or legend is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Why are we here?
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License
This page is cache of Wikipedia. History