🟢 CLOACINA

Cloacina was the Roman goddess of the sewers, her name derived from the Latin word "cloaca" meaning sewer. She held responsibility for the efficient functioning of the vast Roman sewer systems, and also offered protection to the workers who maintained these vital underground networks. The Romans honored her with a shrine, the Sacrum Cloacina, built directly above the Cloaca Maxima, Rome's primary sewer. This shrine likely served a dual purpose, acting as both a sacred space and a practical access point, perhaps a rather ornate manhole. Cloacina held an important place in Roman religion, associated with cleanliness, purification, and even fertility. Romans believed she played a crucial role in maintaining the health and prosperity of their city. Originally an Etruscan goddess, Cloacina was adopted by the Romans around the 1st century BCE. She also became associated with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Her shrine in the Roman Forum was a significant religious site, and the remnants of its foundations can still be seen in Rome today.