Quirinus is the true form of Romulus, the eponymous founder and first King of Rome. He is thought to be a divinity of thunder and, most particular, storms. He is the national tutelary divinity of the Romans.

 

Role in the Cosmos

Quirinus is a Pure Soul who emanated from Helios and was sent forth by the King of the All to build a city that would become the greatest on Earth. Sent down by the Goddess of Forethought, Athene, Quirinus was received by Selene and crafted a mortal body within the Vestal Virgin Silvia’s womb by a Daimon under the dominion of Ares, who visited the Vestal Virgin as she was carrying water for the bath of Hestia. And thus, Quirinus was born Romulus.

At the end of His life it was the divine will of the Gods which brought Him back to the heavens by destroying the mortal part of His body through the agency of fire via a thunderbolt during a storm, allowing Him to ascend back into the heavens where He was led by Selene straight back to King Helios.

And to this day the divine Quirinus continues watches over His people from the heavens.

 

Worship

He was served by the Flamen Quirinalis, one of the three major flamines who served the oldest divinities of Rome. His festival, the Quirinalia, is celebrated February 17.

 

Iconography

Quirinus is depicted as a bearded man, wearing a mix of military and priestly clothing. His sacred tree is the myrtle

 

Bibliography

Flavius Claudius Iulianus Augustus, and Wilmer Cave (France) Wright. The works of the Emperor Julian. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2006.

Plutarch, and John Dryden. Selected lives: from the parallel lives of the noble Grecians and Romans. Franklin Center, PA: Franklin Library, 1982.