Stercutiuss

Stercutius is a figure from Roman mythology, often identified with Sterquilinus or Stercutius, the god of manuring, dung, and the soil. He was believed to have taught the Romans the practice of fertilizing their fields. As such, he was an important deity associated with agriculture and the fertility of the land. His name is derived from the Latin word "stercus," meaning dung or manure.

The worship of Stercutius was particularly prevalent among farmers who relied on the enriching properties of dung for successful harvests. He was seen as a benevolent deity who ensured the productivity of the soil, a crucial element in the agrarian society of ancient Rome. While not as widely celebrated as some of the major Olympian gods, Stercutius held a significant place in the religious practices of those connected to the land.

Some accounts suggest that Stercutius was also known as Sterculinus and was the father of Saturn, though this attribution is not universally accepted among ancient sources. Regardless of his lineage, his primary association remained with the fertilization and enrichment of the earth, a role that made him a vital, if humble, god in the Roman pantheon of agricultural deities. His cult likely involved rituals and offerings aimed at promoting soil fertility and ensuring bountiful crops.