In ancient Roman religion, Fides () was the goddess and embodiment of trust, faithfulness, and good faith (Bona Fides). Fides was one of the original Roman virtues to be cultivated as a divinity with ceremonies and temples.
Functions
Fides was a multifaceted concept in Roman society, being both a set of ideals and a goddess. Fides embodied everything that was required for "honour and credibility, from fidelity in marriage, to contractual arrangements, and the obligation soldiers owed to Rome." One of its core meanings was confidence; both the confidence that one bestows in another, and the credibility one enjoys when confidence is bestowed upon them. As a goddess, Fides was the protector of promises made between parties, and violations of a promise could be seen as an affront to the goddess herself.
Violation of Fides were punished under divine law (fas) in the Roman Kingdom, and was overseen by pontiffs. A cliens ("client") could participate in a hierarchical but mutual relationship with a patronus ("patron") based on the fulfillment of reciprocal duties. Severe violations of Fides in a patronage relationship could result in the violator being declared sacer. During the Roman Republic, ideals embodied by Fides were additionally incorporated into secular law (ius) and overseen by the censors. A violation of Fides was considered an offence against traditional societal values, and violators could be designated ignominia: a temporary status that deprived the individual of good social standing. In his De Officiis, Cicero held Bona Fides to be the foundation of justice, and held it to be a prerequisite for honorable and trustworthy conduct. Loans (commodatum), gift-giving, and debts were governed by Bona Fides, and served as a foundation for the trust required in relationships between debtor and creditor or lender and borrower. Breaches of Bona Fides in lending included actions such as misuse of or damage to the borrowed property; damage to property that was out of the borrower's control was not seen as a violation of Bona Fides. Trials that arose concerning contracts made in Bona Fides judged the honesty and fairness of the parties involved in the contract. Fides became closely associated with the state: outlining a general standard of morality and behavior expected of those in power. Tablets inscribed with international agreements and rules for honorably discharged soldiers were hung in her temple, which was also occasionally used for Senate meetings. Ideas embodied by Fides were applied to Roman politicians and leaders such as general and consul Marcus Atilius Regulus, who was described as prioritizing the country instead of his interests, therefore "[acting] with fides." Presumably built and dedicated by Aulus Atilius Calatinus in 254 or 250 BC, and later restored by Marcus Aemilius Scaurus in 115 BC, the structure was surrounded by a display of bronze tables of laws and treaties, and was used for Senate meetings. There they would conduct her services with their heads covered and right hands wrapped up to the fingers to indicate absolute devotion to her and symbolise trust.thumb|300px|[[Sestertius struck ca. 112 AD, depicting Pompeia Plotina, the Augusta of the emperor Trajan, with Fides on the reverse holding ears of grain and a basket of fruit]]
See also
- Harpocrates – Greek god of silence, secrets and confidentiality.
- Piety (), Hope (), and Luck () – also embodied as goddesses by the Romans