Mercury (mythology)
Mercury is a Roman god, also known as the Roman god of trade, profit and commerce. His name is apparently derived from the Latin merx or mercator, a merchant. He is very similar to the Greek god Hermes and the Etruscan Turms.
His temple in the Circus Maximus, between the Aventine and Palatine hills, was built in 495 BC. This was a fitting place to worship a god of trade and swiftness, since it was a major center of commerce as well as a racetrack. Since it stood between the plebeian stronghold on the Aventine and the partician center on the Palatine, it also emphasized the role of Mercury as a mediator.
On May 15, the Mercuralia was held in his honor; merchants sprinkled water from his sacred well near the Porta Capena on their heads.
Mercury became extremely popular among the nations the Roman Empire conquered. The Celts equated him with their main god Lugus, and Germans equated him with Wodan.
He was called Mercurius in Latin and was also known as Alipes ("with the winged feet").
See also: Dei Lucrii
