Editing Clementia

{{Short description|Roman goddess of clemency}}
{{other uses}}
[[File:Clemenza, rielaborazione romana da originale greco del IV secolo ac., testa di reaturo, inv. 2260.JPG|thumb|Ancient statue of Clementia in the [[Vatican Museums#Museo Chiaramonti|Museo Chiaramonti]]]]

In [[Roman mythology]] and ancient [[Religion in ancient Rome|religion]], '''Clementia''' is the goddess of [[clemency]], leniency, mercy, forgiveness, penance, redemption, [[absolution]], acquittal, and salvation.<ref name="Jordan2009">{{cite book|author=Michael Jordan|title=Dictionary of Gods and Goddesses|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqDC5bwx4_wC&pg=PA67|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-1-4381-0985-5|page=67}}</ref>

== Description ==
She was defined as a celebrated virtue of [[Julius Caesar]], who was famed for his forbearance, especially following [[Caesar's civil war]] with Pompey from 49 BC. In 44 BC, a temple was consecrated to her by the Roman Senate, possibly at Caesar's instigation as Caesar was keen to demonstrate that he had this virtue.

In a letter to his friend [[Titus Pomponius Atticus|Atticus]], [[Cicero]] is discussing Caesar's ''clementia'': "You will say they are frightened. I dare say they are, but I'll be bound they're more frightened of Pompey than of Caesar. They are delighted with his artful clemency and fear the other's wrath." Again in ''Pro rege Deiotaro'' (For King Deiotarus) Cicero discusses Caesar's virtue of ''clementia''.

== Cult ==
There is not much information surrounding Clementia's cult; it would seem that she was merely an abstraction of a particular virtue, one that was revered in conjunction with revering Caesar and the [[Roman Empire|Roman state]].{{cn|date=November 2024}} Clementia was seen as a good trait within a leader, it also the [[Latin]] word for "humanity" or "forbearance". This is opposed to ''Saevitia'' which was savagery and bloodshed. Yet, she was the Roman counterpart of [[Eleos]],{{cn|date=November 2023}} (not to be confused with [[Soteria (mythology)|Soteria]]), the [[Greek mythology|Greek goddess]] of mercy and forgiveness who had a shrine in [[Athens]].

In traditional imagery, she is depicted holding a branch (possibly an [[Olive branch|olive tree branch]]) and a scepter and may be leaning on a column.

== See also ==
{{portal|Mythology|Religion|Ancient Rome}}

* (''Goddesses of Mercy and Compassion''):  [[Guanyin]]
* (''Goddesses of Justice''):  [[Astraea (mythology)|Astraea]], [[Dike (mythology)|Dike]], [[Themis]], [[Prudentia]]
* (''Goddesses of Injustice''):  [[Adikia]]
* (''Aspects of Justice''):  (see also: [[Triple deity]]/[[Triple Goddess (neopaganism)]])
** (''Justice'') [[Themis]]/[[Dike (mythology)|Dike]]/[[Justitia]] ([[Lady Justice]]), [[Raguel (angel)|Raguel (the Angel of Justice)]]
** (''Retribution'') [[Nemesis (mythology)|Nemesis/Rhamnousia/Rhamnusia]]/[[Adrestia|Adrasteia/Adrestia]]/[[Invidia]]
** (''Redemption'') [[Eleos]]/[[Soteria (mythology)|Soteria]]/Clementia, [[Zadkiel]]/[[Zachariel]] (the Angel of Mercy)

== Notes ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wiktionary|Clementia}}
{{commons category}}

{{Roman religion}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Roman goddesses]]
[[Category:Personifications in Roman mythology]]
[[Category:Pardon]]
[[Category:Justice goddesses]]
[[Category:Justice deities]]
[[Category:Savior goddesses]]

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