Pridie Nonae Iunoniae (4 June)

Hail, Hercules, true son of Jove, you who truly are an added Glory to the Gods. Come now, and dance at your holy rites with skillful feet (Virgil Aeneid VIII.301-2).

The Temple of Hercules Custos in the Circus Flaminius was dedicated on this day in 82 BCE. The final stage of dedicating any temple came when a magistrate would invoke the deity to enter.

Come hither, Hercules, who, now free of your obligations, may choose whether to live in your native Argos and spurn death as Eurystheus buried in his tomb, or whether your virtue has won you a place among the stars beneath the throne of your father Jupiter, and Hebe, better than Phrygian Ganymede, with her robe girded, offers you a cup of blessed nectar to drink, come hither, and grace this newly dedicated temple with the presence of your genius (Statius Silvae III 1.23-8).

On the anniversary of a temple?s dedication a festival would be held to honour its God or Goddess. This was referred to as the natalis, or birthday of the genius or juno sent by the deity to dwell in temple building itself. At these anniversary festivities the God or Goddess was then invited to attend.

Why not arouse yourself, Hercules, to come and to graciously honour these feats of the festival we hold in your name; whether to split the clouds with your discus, or send your javelin speeding more swiftly than Zephyrs, or whether it please you to lock arms in a Libyan wrestling competition, indulge our ceremonies with your divine presence (Statius Silvae III 1.154-8).

Next to Jupiter, more dedicatory inscriptions to Hercules have been found in Italy than to any other deity. Sets of bronze statues intended to be placed in lararia have been found that included Hercules alongside the penates and representations of ancestors. Hercules represented virility in the genius of men, and thus an important deity for preserving a family. In Horace and Persius he appears as a divine benefactor.

O if only favoring Hercules would set an urn of silver beneath my serrated hoe (Persius Satires II 11).