Summanus

Summanus is in Roman mythology Lightning God and the nocturnal equivalent of Jupiter Fulgur, which manifests itself in impacting on the day flashes. The connection is but narrow, so that is sometimes spoken of as Summanus epithet of Jupiter. One such compound is attested by at least two inscriptions.

The close connection is also evident from the fact that on the roof or in the gable of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline was a picture of Summanus. This picture was taken 278 BC by lightning and fell down. The head remained disappeared. The haruspices then surveyed proclaimed the head had fallen into the Tiber, where he was also found. For the atonement of the event Summanustempel the Circus Maximus was built. Foundation Day was June 20. This temple was however 197 BC struck by lightning.

When embarking on a flash on public land during the night, a sacrifice of atonement was completed and a flash grave, a so-called Puteal built. The wall of Puteals corresponded to the enclosure of a sacred district, which could not be entered. The inscriptions on the tombs flash denominated according fulgur Summanum conditum (about: " here Summanus has taken " ) in contrast to a dedication to Jupiter ( fulgur Dium conditum ).

In the files of the Arvalbrüder is reported that the priest, as a flash at night in the grove of her goddess Dea Dia, struck, the Summanus sacrificed two black sheep. The black sheep corresponding to the white sheep that would otherwise be sacrificed to Jupiter.