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Sylvanus

Sylvanus, also rendered Silvanus, is a name that appears in ancient Roman religion and early Christian tradition, and has been used as a given name in later periods. In classical myth, Silvanus is a rustic deity associated with forests, fields, and the countryside, from which the English word sylvan derives.

In Roman religion, Silvanus was a nature deity invoked to protect woods and rural life; he is

In early Christianity, Silvanus is the Latin form of the name Silas, a companion of the Apostle

As a given name, Sylvanus has been used in various cultures and literary contexts. The word sylvan,

sometimes
regarded
as
a
guardian
of
shepherds
and
farmland.
The
cult
of
Silvanus
included
rural
rites
and
offerings
conducted
at
woodland
shrines,
reflecting
the
god’s
association
with
the
countryside
and
with
other
rustic
deities
such
as
Faunus
and
Pan.
Paul
mentioned
in
the
Acts
of
the
Apostles
and
the
Epistles.
In
some
traditions
he
is
regarded
as
a
saint,
and
he
is
venerated
in
various
Christian
calendars.
The
identification
and
prominence
of
Silvanus
vary
across
traditions
and
historical
sources.
meaning
related
to
woods,
shares
its
root
with
Sylvanus,
underscoring
the
longstanding
association
of
the
name
with
forests
and
nature.