Inancient Roman religion,Virtus (Latin pronunciation:[ˈwɪrtuːs̠]) was the deity of bravery and military strength, the personification of the Roman virtue ofvirtus. TheGreek equivalent deity wasArete.[1] The deity was often associated with the Roman godHonos (personification of honour) and was often honoured together with him, such as in theTemple of Virtus and Honos at thePorta Capena inRome. It was after the conquest of Syracuse in 205 that the Virtus portion of the temple was added, and in such a way that one had to enter the temple of Virtus before Honos, symbolizing that honor cannot be obtained without military success.[2]
The deity was represented in a variety of ways, for example, on the coins ofTetricus, they could appear as a matron, an old man, or a young man, with ajavelin, battle helmet, or only clothed in a cape. Within the realm of funerary reliefs Virtus is never shown without a male companion.[3] Often their presence within this realm of art is to complement and provide assistance to the protagonist of the relief during a scene of intense masculinity or bravery.[4]
Virtus is most commonly known in the story ofHercules. Hercules finds himself at a crossroads, where has to choose between Virtus andVoluptas, essentially vice and virtue. Hercules has to choose between a life of ease and glutton or between a life of valor and strength. Hercules eventually chooses Virtus.[5]
In theUnited States in 1776, Virtus was made the central figure in theSeal of Virginia and the subsequentstate flag, which features the seal. TheVirginia four-dollar note, aContinental currency, had a similar Virtus pictured on its obverse.
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