Consus

In the folk etymology of antiquity,[7] the name was related to the Latin verb conserere, "to sow," as was the title of the goddess Ops as Consivia or Consiva.

Capdeville states that Consus cannot be related to conserere and adjective consivius, and advances the hypothesis that condere might have to be taken in the meaning of "to found" or "establish".

Moreover, Tertullian reports that on one of the metae of the circus maximus an inscription read: "Consus consilio, Mars duello, Lares coillo po[tentes]".

[13] This fact stems from the role played by Consus in the abduction of the Sabine women, which took place on the occasion of the Consualia aestiva and was considered to have been advised by the god himself.

This power of hidden counselling held by Consus seems to be related to the concept expressed by Dionysius and Plutarch that he is the "holder" of the Earth, an idea that makes of him a parallel to Neptune.

So although it is certain that condere and consulere are from two different roots, it looks the character of Consus as hidden master of the Earth was at the basis of the identification with Neptune, as well as the strict affinity of the two gods with the horse.

In Rome the relationship of Vulcan with Consus is apparent in the dates of their festivals and the fact that the flamen volcanalis officiated at the Calends of May the sacrifice to Bona Dea.