Libitina

Libitina was an ancient Roman goddess associated with funerals, burial, and the dead. She was not one of the major deities of the Roman pantheon, but played a significant role in the practical and religious aspects of death rituals.

Her name is believed to be derived from the Latin word "libitum," meaning "pleasure" or "desire," though the connection to death might seem paradoxical. Some scholars propose that the name reflects the "pleasure" or satisfaction derived from completing proper funerary rites, fulfilling the obligations to the deceased and ensuring their peaceful transition to the afterlife. Others suggest the "pleasure" relates to the relief felt by the living after a period of mourning or illness.

Libitina's importance stemmed primarily from her role in managing funeral arrangements. A grove sacred to her, the Lucus Libitinae, was located near the Porta Esquilina in Rome. This grove served as a central hub for funeral directors (libitinarii) and related services. Individuals arranging funerals would pay a fee to Libitina's representatives at the Lucus. This fee effectively served as a death tax and a form of regulation for the funeral industry.

The Lucus Libitinae provided a location for the registration of deaths, the sale of funerary goods (such as coffins, torches, and clothing), and the contracting of services related to embalming, the procession of the body, and the burial or cremation. The libitinarii were responsible for preparing the body for burial and organizing the funeral rites, ensuring that all rituals were properly observed.

While Libitina did not have a dedicated mythology or a detailed personality ascribed to her in surviving Roman texts, her practical importance in the lives of Roman citizens cannot be understated. She represents the Roman focus on proper burial rites and the respect accorded to the deceased.