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All Prayers

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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

    Prayer to Demeter

    CALLIMACHUS · HYMNS · 6.1-21; 117-138

    As the Basket comes, greet it, ye women, saying 'Demeter, greatly hail! Lady of much bounty, of many measures of corn.' As the Basket comes, from the ground shall ye behold it, ye uninitiated, and gaze not from the roof or from aloft — child nor wife nor maid hath shed her hair — neither then nor when we spit from parched mouths fasting. Hesperos from the clouds marks the time of its coming: Hesperos, who alone persuaded Demeter to drink, what time she pursued the unknown tracks of her stolen daughter. Lady, how were thy feet able to carry thee unto the West, unto the Melanoi and where the golden apples are? Thou didst not drink nor didst thou eat during that time nor didst thou wash. Thrice didst thou cross Akheloios with his silver eddies, and as often didst thou pass over each of the ever-flowing rivers, and thrice didst thou seat thee on the ground beside the fountain Kallikhoros, parched and without drinking, and didst not eat nor wash. Nay, nay, let us not speak of that which brought the tear to Deo! Better to tell how she gave cities pleasing ordinances; better to tell how she was the first to cut straw and holy sheaves of corn-ears and put in oxen to tread them, what time Triptolemos was taught the good craft... O Demeter, never may that man be my friend who is hateful to thee, nor ever may he share party-wall with me; ill neighbours I abhor. Sing, ye maidens, and ye mothers, say with them: 'Damater, greatly hail! Lady of much bounty, of many measures of corn.' And as the four white-haired horses convey the Basket, so unto us will the great goddess of wide dominion come bringing white spring and white harvest and winter and autumn, and keep us to another year. And as unsandalled and with hair unbound we walk the city, so shall we have foot and head unharmed for ever. And as the van-bearers bear vans full of gold, so may we get gold unstinted. Far as the City Chambers let the uninitiated follow, but the initiated even unto the very shrine of the goddess — as many as are under sixty years. But she that is heavy and she that stretches her hand to Eileithyia and she that is in pain — sufficient it is that they go so far as their knees are able. And to them Deo shall give all things to overflowing, even as if they came unto her temple. Hail, goddess, and save this people in harmony and in prosperity, and in the fields bring us all pleasant things! Feed our kine, bring us flocks, bring us the corn-ear, bring us harvest! And nurse peace, that he who sows may also reap. Be gracious, O thrice-prayed for, great Queen of goddesses!

    Greek · hymn
    Demeter, Persephone, Eileithyia
    InvocationPetition
    3rd c. BC
    →
  2. 002

    Hymn to Demeter

    ANONYMOUS (HOMERIC CORPUS) · HOMERIC HYMNS · 2

    I begin to sing of rich-haired Demeter reverend goddess — of her and her trim-ankled daughter whom Aidoneus rapt away... Right blessed is he among men on earth whom they freely love: soon they do send Ploutos as guest to his great house, Ploutos who gives wealth to mortal men. And now, queen of the land of sweet Eleusis and sea-girt Paros and rocky Antron, queen, giver of good gifts, bringer of seasons, lady Deo, be gracious, you and your daughter all beauteous Persephone, and for my song grant me heart-cheering substance.

    Greek · hymn
    Demeter, Persephone, Plutus
    InvocationPetition
    archaic Greek (7th-6th c. BC)
    →
  3. 003

    Hymn to Demeter of Eleusis

    ANONYMOUS (ORPHIC CORPUS) · ORPHIC HYMNS · 40

    O universal mother, Deo famed, august, the source of wealth, and various named: great nurse, all-bounteous, blessed and divine, who joyest in peace; to nourish corn is thine. Goddess of seed, of fruits abundant, fair, harvest and threshing are thy constant care. Lovely delightful queen, by all desired, who dwellest in Eleusis' holy vales retired. Nurse of all mortals, who benignant mind first ploughing oxen to the yoke confined; and gave to men what nature's wants require, with plenteous means of bliss, which all desire. In verdure flourishing, in glory bright, assessor of great Bromios bearing light: rejoicing in the reapers' sickles, kind, whose nature lucid, earthly, pure, we find. Prolific, venerable, nurse divine, thy daughter loving, holy Koure. A car with Drakones yoked 'tis thine to guide, and, orgies singing, round thy throne to ride. Only-begotten, much-producing queen, all flowers are thine, and fruits of lovely green. Bright Goddess, come, with summer's rich increase swelling and pregnant, leading smiling peace; come with fair concord and imperial health, and join with these a needful store of wealth.

    Greek · hymn
    Demeter, Persephone, Dionysus
    InvocationPetition
    Hellenistic to Roman imperial (3rd c. BC – 2nd c. AD)
    →
  4. 004

    Carmen Arvale

    FRATRES ARVALES · CARMEN ARVALIUM (CIL VI 2104)

    Lasas assist us, Lasas delight us, Lasas come to our aid! Neither plague nor ruin, Marmor, allow to be visited on us. But if however we are invaded, like Mars we shall leap across our borders to sate you with the blood of our enemies and stay the barbarians. Marmor assist us, Marmor defend us, Marmor come to our aid. Triumph, triumph, triumph, triumph, triumph!

    Roman · ritual
    Mars, the Lares
    PetitionProtection
    archaic Latin (preserved in inscription of 218 AD)
    →
  5. 005

    Prayer to Terminus and Jupiter

    OVID · FASTI · 2.659-684

    You set bounds to peoples, cities, great kingdoms: without you every field would be disputed. You curry no favour: you aren't bribed with gold, guarding the land entrusted to you in good faith. If you'd once marked the bounds of Thyrean lands, three hundred men would not have died, nor Othryades' name be seen on the pile of weapons. O how he made his fatherland bleed! What happened when the new Capitol was built? The whole throng of gods yielded to Jupiter and made room: but as the ancients tell, Terminus remained in the shrine where he was found, and shares the temple with great Jupiter. Even now there's a small hole in the temple roof, so he can see nothing above him but stars. Since then, Terminus, you've not been free to wander: stay there, in the place where you've been put, and yield not an inch to your neighbour's prayers, lest you seem to set men above Jupiter: and whether they beat you with rakes, or ploughshares, call out: 'This is your field, and that is his!' The lands of other races have fixed boundaries: the extent of the City of Rome and the world is one.

    Roman · hymn
    Terminus, Jupiter
    PraiseInvocation
    early 1st c. AD
    →
  6. 006

    Formula spoken at sowing

    PLINY THE ELDER · NATURALIS HISTORIA · 24.116

    I sow this rape seed for myself and for my neighbors.

    Roman · ritual
    PetitionDedication
    1st c. AD (Pliny preserving a rural ritual formula)
    →
  7. 007

    Formula for the Meditrinalia

    VARRO · DE LINGUA LATINA · 6.21

    Wine new and old I drink, of illness new and old I am cured.

    Roman · ritual
    Protection
    1st c. BC (Varro preserving an archaic formula)
    →
  8. 008

    Prayer to Mars

    CATO · DE AGRICULTURA · 141

    Father Mars, I pray and beseech thee that thou be gracious and merciful to me, my house, and my household; to which intent I have bidden this suovetaurilia to be led around my land, my ground, my farm; that thou keep away, ward off, and remove sickness, seen and unseen, barrenness and destruction, ruin and unseasonable influence; and that thou permit my harvests, my grain, my vineyards, and my plantations to flourish and to come to good issue, preserve in health my shepherds and my flocks, and give good health and strength to me, my house, and my household. To this intent, to the intent of purifying my farm, my land, my ground, and of making an expiation, as I have said, deign to accept the offering of these suckling victims; Father Mars, to the same intent deign to accept the offering of these suckling victims.

    Roman · ritual
    Mars
    PetitionProtectionDedication
    2nd c. BC
    →
  9. 009

    Prayer for thinning a sacred grove

    CATO · DE AGRICULTURA · 139

    Whether thou be god or goddess to whom this grove is dedicated, as it is thy right to receive a sacrifice of a pig for the thinning of this sacred grove, and to this intent, whether I or one at my bidding do it, may it be rightly done. To this end, in offering this pig to thee I humbly beg that thou wilt be gracious and merciful to me, to my house and household, and to my children. Wilt thou deign to receive this pig which I offer thee to this end.

    Roman · ritual
    PetitionDedication
    2nd c. BC
    →
  10. 010

    Prayer to the Lares

    TIBULLUS · ELEGIAE · 1.1.19-24

    Lares, and you gods also, who earlier made our household fruitful and fortunate, may you guard and bless the little that remains today on our farm. Lares, accept what your kindred present to you. For you a lamb shall be offered when around your altar you'll hear rustic boys shouting, 'Io! Give us fine harvests and fruitful vines!'

    Roman · personal
    the Lares
    PetitionDedication
    1st c. BC
    →
  11. 011

    Prayer to Pales

    OVID · FASTI · 4.747

    Pray to Pales with warm milk, say: 'Be equally mindful of sheep and their masters, Pales. May my stables escape from harm. If I have grazed my flock in sacred pastures, or sat beneath a sacred tree, if unknowingly my sheep plunked their fodder from gravesites, if I have entered a sacred grove forbidden to men, and the nymphs and the half goat gods fled in fear at the sight of me, if my knife has pruned a shady bough to give a basket of leaves to an ailing sheep, grant indulgence of my offenses. May I never herd home less than were counted in the morning. May I never bewail the torn fleece of my sheep carried off by a wolf. May unjust famine remain.'

    Roman · ritual
    Pales
    PetitionProtection
    Augustan
    →
  12. 012

    Prayer to Robigo

    OVID · FASTI · 4.911-926

    Spare Ceres grain, O scabby Robigo, let the tips of sprouting shoots gently quiver above rich soil. Let the crops grow, nurtured in turn as each star passes through the heavens, until full and ripe they are readied for the scythe. Your power is not light. What grain You touch, the farmer notes as lost. Spare them, I pray. May You not grasp the crops, but embrace hard iron. Destroy first whatever else is able to destroy. Better to seize the destructive spear and sword. Do not violate Ceres, but allow the farmer time to fulfill his vows for Your absence.

    Roman · ritual
    Robigo
    PetitionProtection
    Augustan
    →
  13. 013

    Prayer to Silvanus

    TITUS POMPONIUS VICTOR · CIL · XII.103

    Silvanus, high guardian of other gardens as well, we offer you this holy ash tree on the forest's edge with songs of thanks. We dedicate this for our fields and Alpine mountain, and may it be acceptable as a shrine for yourself. While I discharge the law and perform Caesar's duties should your shrine favorably safeguard and prosper me and mine, men returned to Rome, and grant safekeeping of the Italian land we cherish, then to you I will indeed dedicate a thousand great trees.

    Roman · personal
    Silvanus
    DedicationPetitionGratitude
    Imperial
    →
  14. 014

    Prayer to Earth

    ANTONIUS MUSA · PRECATIO TERRAE

    Holy Goddess, Tellus, Mother of all Nature, engendering all things and regenerating them each day, as You alone bring forth from Your womb all things into life. Heavenly Goddess, overseeing all things on earth and throughout the seas, in whatever by silent nature is restored in sleep and in death, in the same way that You put to flight the Night with the Light You restore each day. Earth, Enricher of Life, You dispel the dark shadow of death and the disorder of vast endless Chaos. You hold back the winds and storms, the rain showers and tempests. You alone regulate the weather cycles. You give the Food of Life unfailingly, in fidelity, and when the soul by necessity departs, in You alone do we find refuge. Thus, whatever You give, in You all will be returned. Deservedly are You called Great Mother of the Gods. You are the Great Goddess, the Queen of Heaven. You, Goddess, I adore. I call upon Your power, come. Make what I ask to be readily and easily accomplished.

    Roman · ritual
    Earth
    InvocationPraisePetition
    1st c. BC - 1st c. AD
    →
  15. 015

    Prayer to Earth

    ANONYMOUS · CIL, ACTA LUDORUM SAECULARIUM · VI 32323, Terra Mater

    Terra Mater, as it is prescribed for you in those books, let sacrifice be made to you with a pregnant sow of your own, as a whole burnt offering. I beg and pray that you may increase the sovereign power and majesty of the Roman people, the Quirites, in war and peace; as you have always watched over us among the Latins. Forever may you grant safety, victory and health to the Roman people, the Quirites.

    Roman · ritual
    Earth
    PetitionDedication
    Augustan
    →
  16. 016

    Prayer to Janus

    CATO · DE AGRICULTURA · 134

    Father Janus, to You I pray with good prayers, offering You this pile of cakes, so that You might willingly be favorable to me and my children, to my home and household. Father Janus, for the same reasons given in the good prayers I prayed while offering You piled cakes, may You accept and be honored by this portion of wine I pour.

    Roman · ritual
    Janus
    PetitionDedication
    2nd c. BC
    →
  17. 017

    Prayer to Bacchus

    PROPERTIUS · ELEGIAE · 3.17.1-10

    O Bacchus, humbly now I approach Your altar. Grant tranquil seas for me, Father, and a fair wind in my sails. You are able to tame even the rages of Venus; Your wine a cure for our sorrows. By You are lovers bound to one another; by You are their bonds dissolved.

    Roman · literary
    Bacchus
    PetitionDedicationInvocation
    Augustan
    →
  18. 018

    Prayer to Bacchus and Ceres

    TIBULLUS · ELEGIAE · 2.1.3-4; 17-20

    Come to us, Bacchus, with clusters of grapes dangling from your horns, and you, too, Ceres, a wreath of newly ripened wheat for your temples, come! Gods of our fathers, we purify our farmers and our fruitful fields; we ask that you drive away harm from our borders. Let not the now sprouting plants succumb before harvest, let not the timid lambs be outrun by swift wolves.

    Roman · ritual
    Bacchus, Ceres
    InvocationPetitionProtection
    1st c. BC
    →
  19. 019

    Prayer to Ceres

    VIRGIL · GEORGICS · 1.338-350

    Before all else, worship the Gods, and to great Ceres pay Her annual due upon the happy sward with sacrifice, at the utmost end of winter, when spring begins to smile. Then are the lambs fat, and the wines most mellow, then is sleep sweet, and dark the shadows fall upon the mountains. Let your rustic youth do obedience to Ceres, one and all; and for Her pleasure mix honeycombs in milk, and offer Liber's ripe produce. Thrice for luck around the young grain let the offerings travel, and all the choir, a joyful company, attend it, and with shouts bid Ceres come to be their house-mate. Let no man dare put sickle to ripened ears until, with woven oak his temples wreath, he foot the rugged dance and chant the lay.

    Roman · ritual
    Ceres
    InvocationDedicationPraise
    Augustan
    →
  20. 020

    Prayer to Ceres

    CATO · DE AGRICULTURA · 134

    Ceres Mater, to You I pray with good prayers, offering You this pile of cakes, so that You might willing be favorable to me and my children, to my home and household. Ceres Mater, for the same reasons given in the good prayers I prayed while offering You piled cakes, may You accept and be honored by this portion of wine I pour.

    Roman · ritual
    Ceres, Janus, Jupiter, Juno
    PetitionDedication
    2nd c. BC
    →
  21. 021

    Prayer to Ceres and Earth

    OVID · FASTI · 1.671-704

    O Mothers of Fruitfulness, Earth and Ceres, please, with salted spelt cakes offered for Your mother's woe, in kind service have Earth and Ceres nurtured wheat, She who gave grain life, She who gave us room to grow. May You grant tender seed abundant increase. Let not icy cold enwrap our new shoots with snow, while we sow let cloudless skies and fair winds blow. When the seed lies sprouting, sprinkle with gentle rains, may You ward off the feasting by birds from our grains.

    Roman · ritual
    Ceres, Earth
    PetitionProtection
    Augustan
    →
  22. 022

    Prayer to Ceres

    M. HORATIUS PISCINUS · HARVEST PRAYER TO CERES (MODERN RECONSTRUCTION)

    O most holy Ceres, nurturing Mother, whose sacred womb gave birth to both Gods and men; You, Vervactor, who first yoked the oxen and placed the ploughshare to virgin soil; You, Reparator, who first prepared furrows in fallow land; You, Imporcitor, who first made wide our furrows; You, Insitor, who first cast Your bounty on the earth and taught the seed to grow; Obarator, Sarritor, Subruncinator, and You, Sterculinia, who first cared for crops; You, Flora, who make the grain to bear fruit; You, Messitor, who first set scythe to grain stalks; You, Convector, who first spread grain on the sacred harvest floor; You, Noduterentor, who first showed us how to thresh, and You, most holy Ceres, whose very breath separates the white chaff from the golden grain; You, Conditor and Tutilina, who guard the grain in storage; You, Promitor, who first milled the grain and distributed its flour for our daily bread; You, eternal savior, Ceres, lavishing Your bounty upon me and mine, to You, flaxen-haired Ceres, gladly I give thanks and praise, and, from the little I have, to You I willingly make an offering. Accept these, the first fruits of my fields. May my offering incline You more towards me. May You ever nourish me and mine with Your bounty, O most holy and nurturing Mother, gentle Ceres.

    Roman · ritual
    Ceres, Flora, Earth
    InvocationGratitudeDedicationPraise
    →
  23. 023

    Hymn to Demeter and Persephone

    ANONYMOUS (HOMERIC CORPUS) · HOMERIC HYMNS · 13

    I begin to sing of rich-haired Demeter, awful goddess, of her and of her daughter lovely Persephone. Hail, goddess! Keep this city safe, and govern my song.

    Greek · hymn
    Demeter, Persephone
    InvocationPetition
    archaic Greek (7th-4th c. BC)
    →
  24. 024

    Hymn to Mother Antaia

    ANONYMOUS (ORPHIC CORPUS) · ORPHIC HYMNS · 41

    Basileia Antaia, of celebrated name, from whom both men and Gods immortal came; who widely wandering once, oppressed with grief, in Eleusis' valleys foundest relief, discovering Persephone thy daughter pure in dread Aides, dismal and obscure. A sacred youth while through the earth you stray, Dysaulos Iakkhos, attending leader of the way; the holy marriage Khthonios Zeus relating, while oppressed with grief you rove. Come, much invoked, and to these rites inclined, thy mystic suppliant bless, with favouring mind.

    Greek · hymn
    Demeter, Persephone, Iacchus, Dis Pater
    InvocationPetition
    Hellenistic to Roman imperial (3rd c. BC – 2nd c. AD)
    →
  25. 025

    Prayer to Ceres

    OVID · METAMORPHOSES · 5.341-343

    Ceres first turned the earth with the curved plough; she first gave corn and crops to bless the land; she first gave laws; all things are Ceres' gift. Of Ceres I must sing. Oh that my song may hymn the goddess' praise as she deserves, a goddess who deserved high hymns of praise.

    Roman · hymn
    Ceres
    InvocationPraise
    early 1st c. AD
    →
  26. 026

    Prayer to Demeter

    ANONYMOUS · GREEK LYRIC V (CAMPBELL), SCOLIA · fr. 885

    I sing of the mother of Ploutos, Demeter Olympia, in the garland-wearing season, and of you, Persephone, child of Zeus: greetings, both! Tend the city well.

    Greek · hymn
    Demeter, Persephone, Plutus
    InvocationPetition
    Greek (BC)
    →
  27. 027

    Prayer to Demeter

    LABRYS POLYTHEISTIC COMMUNITY (ADAPTED FROM ORPHIC) · HELLENIC POLYTHEISM: HOUSEHOLD WORSHIP · Ceremony for Luck — Hymn to Demetra

    O' Dio, mother of all, respected Goddess, Demetra, giver of Happiness. O' Goddess, bringer of wealth, who provides everything and rejoices in peace, nurturing Goddess of many children, much respected, multi-formed, prolific. Come, blessed and pure, bringing peace, and desirable prosperity, blessed wealth and the Noble Hygeia.

    Greek · ritual
    Demeter
    InvocationPetition
    →
  28. 028

    Prayer to Mars

    CATO · DE AGRICULTURA · 141

    Father Mars, if aught hath not pleased thee in the offering of those sucklings, I make atonement with this pig.

    Roman · ritual
    Mars
    PetitionDedication
    2nd c. BC
    →
  29. 029

    Prayer to Faunus

    HORACE · CARMINA · 3.18.1-8

    Amorous Faunus, from whom the Nymphs flee, step lightly across my boundaries and sunny fields, and soon depart, leaving your blessing on my young lambs and kids, and leveled tender shoots. If gentle, at year's end a plumb kid I'll offer, with wine libations liberally poured from the cups of Venus' devotees, and many sweet, fragrant herbs I'll burn on your ancient altar.

    Roman · personal
    Faunus
    PetitionDedication
    Augustan
    →
  30. 030

    Prayer to Jupiter

    CATO · DE AGRICULTURA · 132

    Jupiter Dapalis, it is a tradition in my family that a cup of wine be offered to You in thanksgiving for the sacred feast. For this reason may You accept this feast offering. Jupiter Dapalis, may You be strengthened by this feast, may You be warmed by this small portion of our wine that I offer.

    Roman · ritual
    Jupiter
    DedicationGratitude
    2nd c. BC
    →
  31. 031

    Prayer to Priapus

    TIBULLUS · ELEGIAE · 1.1.17-18

    Red guardian, Priapus, placed within this fruitful garden, with your fierce scythe frighten off the birds from this crop.

    Roman · personal
    Priapus
    PetitionProtection
    1st c. BC
    →
  32. 032

    Prayer to Bacchus

    VIRGIL · GEORGICS · 2.2-8

    Now shall I sing of you, Bacchus. Without you there would be no woodland or thicket, or slow growing olive grove. Come hither, O Lenaean Father, all things here beckon to be nurtured by your many gifts, the autumn vineshoots laden the countryside with blossoms, the vintage grape harvest foams plentiful to the lips of the wine vats. Hasten, O Lenaean Father, come and, stripped down, tinge your naked feet in new wine must with me.

    Roman · literary
    Bacchus
    InvocationPraise
    Augustan
    →
  33. 033

    Prayer to Ceres

    OVID · AMORES · 3.10.3-14; 43-48

    Flaxen-haired Ceres, Your fine tresses wreathed with ears of wheat, why must your sacred rites inhibit our pleasures? Goddess, people everywhere praise your munificence. No other goddess so lavishes men and women with everything good. In earlier times the uncouth peasant never roasted grains of wheat, never knew a threshing floor, but oak trees, those first oracles, provided them with gruel. Acorns, tender roots and herbs made their meal then. Ceres first taught seeds to ripen in the fields, taught how to follow Her with scythe against their golden hair, first broke the oxen to yoke and reveal the fertile earth beneath its curved blade.

    Roman · literary
    Ceres
    PraisePetition
    Augustan
    →
  34. 034

    Prayer to Ceres

    TIBULLUS · ELEGIAE · 1.1.15-16

    Golden-haired Ceres, bless this our farm; a crown of wheat I shall hang before your altar.

    Roman · personal
    Ceres
    PetitionDedication
    1st c. BC
    →
  35. 035

    Prayer to Ceres

    VIRGIL · GEORGICS · 1.7-12

    Liber and gentle Ceres, if by your gifts the earth once changed, exchanging Chaonian acorns for rich heads of grain, and receiving your invention of wine from Acheloian cups, and you Fauns, your divine presence an aid for rustics, bring dancing feet, as when Dryad girls frolic with Fauns, of your gifts I sing.

    Roman · literary
    Ceres, Bacchus, the Fauns
    InvocationPraise
    Augustan
    →
  36. 036

    Prayer to Apollo

    STATIUS · THEBAID · 1.693-697; 715-717

    Pour wine on the altar's fire as we sing our vows again and again to Leto's son, the Preserver of our forefathers. Father Phoebus, whether it is the snowy slopes of Lycia or the thorny slopes of Patara that perpetually keep you busy, or if it pleases you to merge your golden hair in Castalia's chaste moisture — come now, remembering our hospitality, and bless once more the fertile fields of Juno.

    Roman · literary
    Apollo
    InvocationPetitionDedication
    1st c. AD
    →
  37. 037

    Prayer to Bacchus

    ANONYMOUS · FLORES CARMINA · 2

    Bacchus, inventor of vines, may you arrive full of wines, may you pour forth the sweet liquid, to be compared with nectar, and make the old pleasant, and turned to another use, may it not lead harsh flavor to our spiteful veins.

    Roman · ritual
    Bacchus
    InvocationPetition
    →