Luna (goddess)

In Sabine and ancient Roman religion and myth, Luna is the divine embodiment of the Moon (Latin Lūna [ˈɫ̪uːnä]).

Luna is also sometimes represented as an aspect of the Roman triple goddess (diva triformis), along with Diana and either Proserpina or Hecate.

[5] In Imperial cult, Sol and Luna can represent the extent of Roman rule over the world, with the aim of guaranteeing peace.

[13] It first appears in Roman literature in the story of how in 182 BC a windstorm of exceptional power blew off its doors, which crashed into the Temple of Ceres below it on the slope.

[20] Luna is often depicted driving a two-yoke chariot called a biga, drawn by horses or oxen.

In the mithraeum of S. Maria Capua Vetere, a wall painting that uniquely focuses on Luna alone shows one of the horses of the team as light in color, with the other a dark brown.

[22] A biga of oxen was also driven by Hecate, the chthonic aspect of the triple goddess in complement with the "horned" or crescent-crowned Diana and Luna.

Mithraic altar to Luna (2nd/3rd century)