Ops Roman Goddess of the Earth, Fertility, and Abundance

Creatures of Greek Mythology – 23 Legendary Myths

Ops, Roman goddess of the earth, was a source of fertility. In general, she was a goddess of wealth and abundance, as her name suggests. She was the wife and sister of Saturn. She was the Roman version of the Greek goddess Rhea, and their roles, symbols, and myths are virtually identical.

Origins

Like most Roman mythological figures, Ops was appropriated from Greek mythology. She is virtually a direct copy of Rhea.

Legends and Stories

The myth of Ops is closely related to that of Rhea and her husband Cronus. Here is the Roman interpretation of the main myth.

Baby Jupiter

Ops’ husband, Saturn, was the protector and sower. He reigned supreme in the universe, but it was prophesied that one of his children would overthrow him. Saturn decided to do everything in his power to prevent this by swallowing every child that Ops gave birth to.

Ops wanted to protect at least one child, so when her sixth son, Jupiter, was born, she hid the baby and wrapped a stone in clothes instead. Saturn thought the rock was his new son and quickly swallowed it like he had done with his other children. The baby was safe and raised far away to protect him.

But when Jupiter grew up, he decided it was time to overthrow his father and take control. He also wanted to save his other siblings. So he secured the position of cupbearer to Saturn. He finally added a potion to his father’s cup that made him vomit. When he did, his brothers and sisters were freed from his stomach.

Then a war broke out between Saturn and his children. After years of battles, Jupiter finally won the battle. When Jupiter ascended to the throne, Saturn fled the area and settled in Rome, where he established the Golden Age. The Golden Age was a time of perfect harmony and peace, which lasted as long as he reigned.

Family

Ops was married to Saturn, and together they had many children, all of whom were inspired by similar gods from Greek mythology. Their children were Ceres, Pluto, Neptune, Jupiter, Vesta, and Juno.

Neptune

Neptune was the god of the sea. He was almost identical to the Greek god Poseidon. He was also considered the god of horses by his Roman worshippers, as his myth says that he invented the horse with a single blow of his trident in a competition for the city of Athens. He is said to have invented chariot racing. He is often depicted with dark hair and sitting on a large shell like a chariot pulled by whales or sea horses.

Jupiter

Jupiter was the supreme god of the Roman pantheon. He was the god of light and the sky and the protector of the state and the laws. He is associated with lightning, storms, and thunder. His wife was Juno, who was also his sister. He was linked to the Greek god Zeus. Over time, he would become part of the triad of gods established by the inhabitants of Rome. He was still considered the greatest of all the gods, but he was also linked to Juno and his daughter Minerva in power.

Pluto

Pluto was the god of the underworld and the judge of the dead. He was very similar to Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. His myth is also similar. While Hades captured Persephone and made her his wife, Pluto captured Proserpina.

Ceres

Ceres was the goddess of agriculture, grain crops, maternal relationships, and fertility. She is associated with the Roman goddess Demeter. Ceres was very important in Roman mythology, as she was the only god who was involved with mortals on a daily basis. She was loved for her service to humanity. She taught humans how to cultivate, preserve, and prepare corn and other foods.

Vesta

Vesta was the goddess of the hearth, domestic life, and the home. She was the eldest of the children of Ops, but the last to be released from her father’s stomach. Therefore, she is considered both the oldest and the youngest. She was very attractive, and many men fought for her hand in marriage. However, she rejected them all and begged Jupiter to allow her to remain a virgin. He agreed, and to thank him, Vesta took charge of his home. This is what allows her to identify with domestic life and tranquility.

Juno

Juno was the protector and special advisor to the state. She was married to Jupiter, and together they had Mars and Vulcan. Juno was responsible for the welfare of Roman women.

Appearance

Ops’ appearance is a direct representation of what she oversees. She is usually depicted as a maternal figure with long, flowing hair, often in a field or meadow surrounded by flowers and greenery. In some depictions, she is breastfeeding a baby, showing her connection to fertility and childbearing.

Ops usually has a calm and serene look on her face. Her eyes are often closed, and in almost all artistic representations, whether day or night, the moon can be seen in the background.

Symbolism

There are many themes associated with Ops, including wealth, fertility, opportunity, and growth. There are also many symbols related to these themes, including seeds, bread, and earth. She is known for providing mortals with opportunities to be productive every day, whether with their families or with what the earth can provide them.

Worship

King Titus Tatius of the Sabines mythically instituted the Cult of Operations. She then became known as the patroness of prosperity, wealth, and abundance, both nationally and personally. She was given a famous temple on the Capitol. There was once a festival held in her honor during the month of August, and a day in December was typically reserved for her as well.