Agonius

Agonius was a Roman deity, particularly associated with the Rex Sacrorum (King of the Sacred Rites) and the festival of the Agonalia. The etymology of the name is uncertain, with theories linking it to agon (Greek for "contest," suggesting sacrificial combat), ago (Latin for "to do," implying action or performance of sacred rites), or agnus (Latin for "lamb," pointing to a lamb sacrifice).

The Agonalia was celebrated multiple times throughout the year on dates varying by source and potentially region. It involved the Rex Sacrorum offering a ram (or lamb) in sacrifice, generally at the Regia in the Roman Forum. Some scholars associate the festival with Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, suggesting he instituted the rites.

The nature of Agonius is debated. Some scholars consider him an archaic deity, possibly linked to Janus (with whom he shared a January Agonalia). Others view him more as a personification of the ritual act itself, rather than a fully developed god with a distinct mythology. The obscurity of Agonius makes definitive interpretations challenging. The rites performed in his name, however, demonstrate the importance of ritual performance and sacrifice in Roman religion.