NAVIGATION

Mercury was the Roman god of commerce and as such identified with the Greek god Hermes who was the patron god of circulation and the movement of goods and people. Accordingly these qualities were transferred by the Romans to Mercury who became a mediator between the gods and people, between the dead and the living and who was always in motion. He was the protector of the corn trade, especially with Sicily, which was of great importance to Rome and so was publicly honoured by the erection of a great temple in the Circus Maximus. A guild of merchants was also established in Rome, the members of which were known as ‘mercuriales’. At the annual festival of the temple and guild on the 15th May the merchants sacrificed to Mercury and at the Porta Capena sprinkled themselves and their merchandise with hallowed water. With the spread of Roman commerce the worship of Mercury extended into the far reaches of the Empire.