Editing Orcus (section)

==Origins==
[[File:Odysseus and cyclops (orcus) Tomb of Orcus.jpg|thumb|Fresco of [[Odysseus]] (''{{langx|ett|Uθuste}}'') and the Cyclops (''{{langx|ett|Cuclu}}'') in the [[Tomb of Orcus]], [[Tarquinia]], [[Italy]].]]
The origins of Orcus may have lain in [[Etruscan religion]]. The so-called "[[Tomb of Orcus]]", an [[Etruscan civilization|Etruscan site]] at [[Tarquinia]], is a misnomer, resulting from its first discoverers mistaking a hairy, bearded giant for Orcus; it actually depicts a [[Cyclopes|Cyclops]].

The Romans sometimes conflated Orcus with other [[underworld]] gods such as [[Pluto (mythology)|Pluto]], [[Hades]], and [[Dis Pater]]. The name "Orcus" seems to have referred specifically to the malicious and punishing side of the ruler of the underworld, as the god who tormented evildoers in their afterlife. Like the name Hades, "Orcus" could refer both to the underworld itself, as well as its ruling deity. In the charitable interpretation for such a place, it was believed to be an abode for purification of the souls of the deceased.<ref name=Schuch-1842>{{cite book |first=Christian Theophil |last=Schuch |title=Privatalterthümer, oder wissenschaftliches, religiöses und häuslisches Leben der Römer. Ein Lehr- und Handbuch für Studirende und Alterthumsfreunde |lang=de |trans-title=Private Antiquities: The scientific, religious, and domestic life of the Romans. A textbook and handbook for students and fans of antiquarian topics |place=Karlsruhe, DE |year=1842 |pages=360–361}}</ref>

In Roman literature one encounters phrases such as ''Orcum morari'' (lit. "to make Orcus wait", i.e. to postpone death) and ''cum Orco rationem habere'' (lit. "to go reason with Orcus", i.e. to approach death).<ref>[http://micmap.org/dicfro/search/gaffiot/orcus Orcus] {{Cite book|last=Gaffiot, Félix (1934)|title=Dictionnaire illustré latin-français|publisher=Hachette|pages=1090}}</ref>

Orcus was chiefly worshipped in rural areas; he had no official cult in the cities.<ref name=Bernheimer-1952-1979>{{cite book |last=Bernheimer |first=Richard |orig-year=1952 |year=1979 |edition=reprint |title=Wild men in the Middle Ages |place=New York, NY |publisher=Octagon Books |ISBN=0-374-90616-5 |page=43}}</ref> This remoteness allowed for him to survive in the countryside long after the more prevalent gods had ceased to be worshipped. He survived as a folk figure into the [[Middle Ages]], and aspects of his worship may have been transmuted into the [[wild man]] festivals held in rural parts of Europe through the [[modern era]].<ref name=Bernheimer-1952-1979/> Indeed, much of what is known about the celebrations associated with Orcus come from medieval sources.<ref name=Bernheimer-1952-1979/>