NEPTUNE (

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• LAT

Lat. NEPTUNUS)  , an Italian god, of unknown origin and meaning, paired with Salacia, possibly the goddess of the salt water . At an early date (J99 B.C.) he was identified with the Greek Poseidon (q.v.), when the Sibylline books ordered a lectisternium in his honour (Livy v . 13) . His festival, Neptunalia, at which tents were made from the branches of trees, was celebrated on the 23rd of July, and his temple, containing a famous marine group by Scopas, stood near the Circus Flaminius . In earlier times it was the god Fortunus who was thanked for naval victories; but Sextus Pompeius called himself son of Neptune, and Agrippa dedicated to Neptune a temple (Basilica Neptuni) in the Campus Martins in honour of the naval victory of Actium .