Moneta
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In Roman mythology, Moneta (Latin Monēta) was a title given to two separate goddesses: the goddess of memory (identified with the Greek goddess Mnemosyne) and an epithet of Juno, called Juno Moneta (Latin Iūno Monēta). The latter's name is source of numerous words in English and the Romance languages, including the word "money".
Moneta was also the name of a Russian Hat worn in winter.
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[edit] Moneta
- See also: Mnemosyne
The goddess Moneta was created largely under the influence of Greek religion as a cognate of Μνημοσύνη, the goddess of memory and the mother of the Muses. The goddess's name is derived from Latin monēre, which means to remind, warn, or instruct.
[edit] Juno Moneta
- See also: Juno (mythology)
Juno Moneta, an epithet of Juno, was the protectress of funds. As such, money in ancient Rome was coined in her temple. The word "moneta" had come to mean "money", "currency", or "mint" by the times of writers such as Ovid, Martial, Juvenal, and Cicero. As with the goddess Moneta, Juno Moneta's name is derived from monēre, since, as protectress of funds, she "warned" of instability.
[edit] In Culture
Moneta is the name assumed by a character in Dan Simmons' Hyperion Cantos.
[edit] References
- Simpson, D.P. (1968). Cassell's Latin Dictionary: 5th Edition. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co. ISBN 0-02-522570-7.
- (2000) The American Heritage dictionary of the English language: 4th Edition. New York: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0-02-522570-7.
- en.museicapitolini.org