All Prayers

The complete list of the collection's prayers, hymns, vows and inscriptions — from the Homeric hymns of the seventh century BC to votive inscriptions from the Roman provinces. Every text carries the original in Greek or Latin, a translation, an exact reference to the edition, and a commentary.

1. 001

   The Hippocratic Oath

   HIPPOCRATES · HIPPOCRATIC OATH

   I swear by Apollon the physician, and Asklepios, and Hygeia, and Panakeia, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation...

   Greek · ritual

   Apollo, Asclepius, Hygieia, Panacea

   Oath
   5th-4th c. BC

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2. 002

   The devotio of Decius Mus

   LIVY · AB URBE CONDITA · 8.9.6-8

   Janus, Jupiter, Father Mars, Quirinus, Bellona, Lares, You divine Novensiles and You divine Indigetes, deities whose power extends over us and over our foes, and to You, too, Divine Manes, I pray, I do You reverence, I crave Your grace and favour will bless the Roman People, the Quirites, with power and victory, and will visit fear, dread and death on the enemies of the Roman People, the Quirites. In like manner as I have uttered this prayer so do I now on behalf of the commonwealth of the Quirites, on behalf of the army, the legions, the auxiliaries of the Roman People, the Quirites, devote the legions and auxiliaries of the enemy, together with myself to Tellus and the Divine Manes.

   Roman · ritual

   Janus, Jupiter, Mars, Quirinus, Bellona, the Lares, the Di Novensiles, the Di Indigetes, the Manes, Earth

   DedicationOath
   late 1st c. BC (recording events of 340 BC)

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3. 003

   The devotio of Carthage

   MACROBIUS · SATURNALIA · 3.9.10-11

   Dis Pater, Veiovis, and Di Manes, or with any other name by which it is proper to call You, since all in this city of Carthage and its army, who, I feel, fled before me in terror only because you filled them with alarm and fright, everyone who opposes our legions and the wall of shields of our army, and our missiles are carried forward on them by your hand, in this way you led away the enemy army and their soldiers. Their city and fields, and those who are in this place and this region, the lands and cities that they inhabit, you have now deprived them of the supreme light, their hostile army, their city and their lands. I feel to say that it was you who has devoted and consecrated this city and its lands, from the beginning and all time, that by law, who and when are made over and devoted as the highest sacrifices. Therefore, I who am victorious, by my faith as a magistrate of the people of Rome, and as commander of the armies, I give this vow on behalf of the people of Rome, our armies and legions, that you may retain everything born to this land and that grew in healthy by your aid. If you will make this happen, so that I may know, sense and derive that this has happened, then by whatever vow will have been made, wherever it will have been made, may it be properly made with sheep sacrificed upon the tribal altars. I call upon Tellus, Mother Earth, and You mighty Jupiter, to act as witnesses to my vow.

   Roman · ritual

   Dis Pater, Veiovis, the Manes, Earth, Jupiter

   DedicationOath
   late 4th / early 5th c. AD (preserving archaic Roman formula)

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4. 004

   Prayer to Mars

   OVID · FASTI · 5.573-577

   If, Father, my war is authorized by Vesta's priestess, and whenever I prepare to take divine vengeance, Mars, be by my side and satiate cold steel with guilt's blood, and lend Your favour to the better side. If I am victorious for You I'll build a shrine and call You Ultor, Mars the Avenger.

   Roman · public

   Mars

   PetitionOath
   early 1st c. AD

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5. 005

   The oath of Aeneas and Latinus

   VIRGIL · AENEID · 12.176-82; 197-211

   May the Sun now bear witness, and so too the Earth, I pray, for whom I have been able to endure these many labors, and you, Almighty Father, and you his consort (Juno), daughter of Saturnus, at one time more beneficial, at another kinder, be so now as I pray to you, O Goddess, and to you, too, Father Mavors, who wields all warfare under your powers, and on all the springs and rivers of this land I invoke as witnesses, and all the powers of the high heavens and those of the deep blue seas on whom it is proper to call. By these same deities I, Aeneas, swear, by the Earth and the Sea, by the stars and Latona's twin children, and dual-faced Janus, and the powers of the gods below, and the harsh shrines of Father Dis. May the Great Father hear my vow, he that sanctions alliances with his thunderbolt. I touch the altars, and by the fires and by the divine powers who I have called to witness, I so swear, that never shall I breach this alliance or the peace of Italy, no matter what or how things happen, nothing shall divert my will, not even if waves would cover the earth, plunging all into deluge, and the Heavens fell into deepest Tartarus.

   Roman · public

   Sol, Earth, Jupiter, Juno, Mars, Janus, Apollo, Diana, Dis Pater, the Manes

   OathInvocation
   late 1st c. BC

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6. 006

   The Vestal Aemilia's prayer

   DIONYSIUS OF HALICARNASSUS · ROMAN ANTIQUITIES · II.68.3-5

   O Vesta, guardian of the Romans' city, if, during the space of nearly thirty years, I have performed the sacred offices to thee in a holy and proper manner, keeping a pure mind and a chaste body, do thou manifest thyself in my defence and assist me and do not suffer thy priestess to die the most miserable of all deaths; but if I have been guilty of any impious deed, let my punishment expiate the guilt of the city.

   Roman · personal

   Vesta

   PetitionOath
   1st c. BC (describing an earlier Republican event of uncertain date)

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7. 007

   Prayer to Jupiter

   LIVY · AB URBE CONDITA · 1.12.4-7

   O Jupiter, it was through Your omen that I was led while I laid here upon the Palatine Hill, to establish the very first foundations of the city of Rome. Already the Arx, that fortress wickedly bought, is seized by the Sabines. But if You, Father of the Gods and of men, hold back our enemies, at least from this spot, delivering the Romans from their terror, and stay their shameful retreat, then this I vow to You, Jupiter Stator, that a holy precinct and shrine will be built in Your honor as a memorial to remind our descendents of how once the city of Rome was saved by Your aid.

   Roman · public

   Jupiter

   PetitionOathDedication
   Regal period (recorded by Livy)

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8. 008

   Prayer to Jupiter

   LIVY · AB URBE CONDITA · 1.24.7-9

   Hear, o Jupiter; hear me, too, Pater Patratus of the people of Alba! As these provisions have been written in good faith and publicly read from beginning to end from these tablets, and inasmuch as they have today been most clearly understood, so the People of Rome will not be the first to withdraw from these treaty provisions. If, in their public council, they were to do so, with false and malicious intent break this treaty, then, Dispater, on that day, may You bring ruin on the People of Rome, even as today I shall strike this swine.

   Roman · public

   Jupiter

   Oath
   Regal period (recorded by Livy)

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9. 009

   Prayer to Vesta

   CICERO · DE DOMO SUA AD PONTIFICES · 144-145

   Mother Vesta, I pray to You, whose most chaste Vestales I have defended against pillage and desecration by demented men; for their eternal flame I could not allow to pass, extinguished in the blood of citizens, or Your pure flame be intermingled with a conflagration sweeping the entire city. I call You as witness, I place myself and my family in Your hands, in these struggles I devoted myself and my life, while consul and before, without regard for my own interests, or for profit, but strove in all my actions and thoughts with vigilance for the safety and health of all my fellow citizens. When by Your favor my home is restored to me, may I at long last be allowed to consider it demonstrated that this devotion of my life has met with the approval of the Gods.

   Roman · personal

   Vesta

   PetitionOath
   1st c. BC

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10. 010

    The ordeal of the Vestal Tuccia

    VALERIUS MAXIMUS · FACTA ET DICTA MEMORABILIA · 8.1.5

    O Vesta, if I have always brought pure hands to your secret services, make it so now that with this sieve I shall be able to draw water from the Tiber and bring it to Your temple.

    Roman · personal

    Vesta

    PetitionOath
    3rd c. BC (recorded 1st c. AD)

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11. 011

    The fetial declaration of war

    LIVY · AB URBE CONDITA · 1.32.10

    Hear, o Jupiter, and You Janus Quirinus, and all You heavenly Gods, and You gods of earth and of the lower world, hear me! I call You to witness that this people is unjust and does not fulfill its sacred obligations.

    Roman · public

    Janus, Jupiter

    OathPetition
    Regal period (recorded by Livy)

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12. 012

    Prayer to Diana

    STATIUS · THEBAID · 9.608-635

    Virgin Goddess of the sacred groves, whose unkind banners and fierce battle cries I follow, scorning my sex in a manner unlike the Greeks. If ever did I not boldly enter Bacchic revelries of the night, and even after I married, though my virgin purity was soiled, in my heart of hearts I remained a virgin huntress. I took no care to hide my fault from You in some secret cave, but held out my son to You, confessed my shame and trembling laid him at Your feet. He was not of degenerate blood, not weak or mild, but straightaway he crawled to my bow and as a babe cried for my arrow. For him I pray — whose fate causes me these restless nights and threatening dreams — for him, who now audaciously goes too boldly off to war, I pray to You that I may see him victorious, or, if I pray for too much, grant at least that I may see him once more. I pray, merciful Dictynna, by Your mother's labors and Your brother's glory, with all Your arrows pierce deeply this unhappy womb, and let him first hear of his wretched mother's death.

    Roman · literary

    Diana

    PetitionOath
    1st c. AD

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13. 013

    Prayer to Diana

    VIRGIL · AENEID · 11.557-560

    Gracious Diana, virgin daughter of Latona, who inhabits sacred groves and nurtures woodlands, I, her father, vow this child into service as Your handmaiden. Holding Your weapons before all others, Your suppliant flees on the wind from the enemy. Bear witness to my vow, I pray, O Goddess, and accept her as Your own, whom I now commit to a precarious breeze.

    Roman · literary

    Diana

    DedicationOath
    Augustan

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14. 014

    Prayer to Apollo and Juno

    LIVY · AB URBE CONDITA · 5.21.2-3

    Pythian Apollo, inspired by You and Your guiding influence I go forth to destroy the city of Veii. A tenth part of its spoils I devote to You. Likewise for You, Juno Regina, who in Veii now dwells, I pray, that after our victory You will follow us to our City, that soon will become Your City as well, where a holy precinct worthy of Your dignity will be built to receive You.

    Roman · public

    Apollo, Juno

    PetitionDedicationOath
    4th c. BC (recorded by Livy, 1st c. BC)

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15. 015

    Prayer to Bellona

    LIVY · AB URBE CONDITA · 10.19.17-18

    If today, Bellona, You grant us victory, a new temple I vow.

    Roman · ritual

    Bellona

    OathDedication
    late 1st c. BC (recording events of 296 BC)

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16. 016

    The oath at Canusium

    LIVY · AB URBE CONDITA · 22.53.10-11

    I swear with a deep conviction of mind that I shall never allow myself to desert the Republic of the people of Rome. If I should willfully break my oath, may Jupiter Optimus Maximus inflict upon me the worst, most shameful ruin, and on my house, my family, and all I possess.

    Roman · public

    Jupiter

    Oath
    3rd c. BC (recorded by Livy)

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17. 017

    Prayer to Minerva

    STATIUS · THEBAID · 2.715-729

    Proud, warlike Goddess, great honor and wisdom of Your Father, powerful in war are You, on whom the grim helmet is borne with its frightful decoration, speckled with the Gorgon's blood that glows more violent with increasing rage. May You with Your nod accept this sacrificial offering. Should I return to my Parthaonian fields, then amid her hills I shall dedicate to you a golden temple where a hundred Calydonian virgins will serve in devotions at your altar.

    Roman · literary

    Minerva

    PetitionDedicationOath
    1st c. AD

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18. 018

    Prayer to Jupiter

    LIVY · AB URBE CONDITA · 6.16.1

    Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Juno Regina, Minerva, and all you other gods and goddesses who dwell upon the Capitolium and the Arx, is this how you allow your defender, the protector of your shrines, to be treated, to be vexed and harassed by his enemies in this manner? Shall this right arm which drove the Gauls headlong from your shrines now be bound and chained?

    Roman · public

    Jupiter, Juno, Minerva

    PetitionOath
    4th c. BC (recorded by Livy)

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19. 019

    Alcmena's oath

    PLAUTUS · AMPHITRYON · 831-834

    By the Highest Gods ruling in the heavens, by Juno, too, She whom most of all I fear and venerate, I swear that no mortal man has ever come near enough to touch me or in any way impugn upon my chastity or has given me cause for shame.

    Roman · literary

    Juno

    Oath
    2nd c. BC

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20. 020

    Prayer to Jupiter

    CATO · ORIGINES · 1 fr. 12

    The Latins vowed: Jupiter, if it is greatly pleasing to You, that we, rather than Mezentium, should give offerings to You, accordingly may You make us victorious.

    Roman · public

    Jupiter

    OathPetition
    2nd c. BC

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21. 021

    Prayer to Ceres and Proserpina

    LIVY · AB URBE CONDITA · 24.38.8

    Mother Ceres and Proserpina and all You Gods above and below who inhabit the city, these hallowed lakes and groves, I pray that You attend us with Your favor and support, if it should be that we are taking this initial step for the purpose of guarding against treacherous falsehood, not practicing it.

    Roman · public

    Ceres, Proserpina

    OathPetition
    3rd c. BC (recorded by Livy)

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22. 022

    Prayer to Ceres

    SENECA · HERCULES FURENS · 229

    For you, Goddess of the Fruits of the Earth, your secret rites I will fund; in your shrine at Eleusis shall burn the sacred flame in celebration of your mysteries.

    Roman · literary

    Ceres

    DedicationOath
    1st c. AD

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23. 023

    Prayer to Diana

    STATIUS · THEBAID · 4.752-770

    Potent Goddess of sacred groves — for by your noble appearance and modesty I think You are not born of mortals — look with favor upon a tired army on the march. We determined that Thebes deserves to be destroyed with the sword brought forward, but now severe drought makes us no longer war-like, it bends our hearts, and weakens us into idleness. Grant drink to those who are weary, whether you hold a babbling brook or stagnant pool. This will bring no shame or desecration to your place. Winds, you now are asked along with Jove for rain, may you refresh our virile and bellicose hearts and replenish our lifeless spirits. Only Jupiter may grant that we will return with plunder, but if so, O Goddess, war gained riches we will pile as offerings of thanks to you. For your sanctuary, Goddess, a great altar we will build, and wash it in the blood of numerous Boeotian cattle to repay your kindness.

    Roman · literary

    Diana

    PetitionDedicationOath
    1st c. AD

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24. 024

    Prayer to Diana

    STATIUS · THEBAID · 10.360-370

    By these wandering stars I swear, by the shade of my leader, who is to me a divine power, that like the depth of my grief so is my deep resolve. Cynthia, mistress of arcane mysteries of the night, if Your divine power is threefold and You descend into the forest each time with a different appearance, it was he who recently was Your companion, and whose honor was nurtured in Your sacred grove. At least consider now to lend me Your aid, for it is this boy, Diana, for whom I search.

    Roman · literary

    Diana

    OathPetition
    1st c. AD

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25. 025

    Prayer to Apollo

    STATIUS · THEBAID · 10.337-345

    To You, Phoebus Apollo, go these spoils, prizes of the night, taken from distinguished nobles, not yet washed clean of their blood. I trust that truly I have offered You an acceptable sacrifice. I, Your faithful priest and defender of Your sacred tripod against uncivilized enemies, commit these to You. If I have not disgraced Your traditional rites and strictly kept Your rule, come often to me, think me worthy to often enter into my thoughts and seize my mind. Although now crude honors are offered You — these broken arms stained with blood of honorable men — if ever, Paean, You will grant the return of my native home and the temples I long for, God of Lycia, remember my vows, and however many rich gifts and as many bulls as I have promised, demand they be fulfilled.

    Roman · literary

    Apollo

    DedicationPetitionOath
    1st c. AD

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26. 026

    Prayer to Apollo

    VIRGIL · AENEID · 11.785-793

    Apollo Soranus, Highest of the Gods, Holy Guardian of Mount Soracte, we who are foremost among Your worshippers, for You we set to flame the piled pine-wood, and Your worshippers, piously trusting our faith in You among the fires, press our step across the glowing embers. Grant, Father Almighty, that by our arms we may erase this disgrace. No plunder did I seek, no trophy to win from virgins, or any spoils; my fame shall follow from my feats.

    Roman · literary

    Apollo

    PetitionOathDedication
    Augustan

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