Fornax, Roman Goddess of baking

 

Ancient Rome is full of Gods and Goddesses for nearly every occasion or occupation.

Fornax is the patron goddess of baker's.

She is the goddess of ovens and baking, responsible for bread, buns, toast, muffins, and bagels. She was also essential for preventing burnt offerings and house fires. 

Originally, Roman ovens were used for toasting grain, while the  hearth was used for  baked bread. Though as ovens became more commonly used for baking instead of a Traditional Hearth , Fornax myth was eventually merged with the goddess Vesta. 

Fornacalia is a festival held in honor of Fornax, where grain is toasted for the salted meal mola salsa. 

Originally she was the patroness of bakers, and a goddess of baking. She ensured that the heat of ovens did not get hot enough to burn the corn or bread.

People would pray to for help whilst baking.

 Her festival, the Fornacalia, is  celebrated on February 17.

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 Vesta  is the virgin goddess of the hearth, home, and family in Roman religion, most often depicted as a flame and on rare occasions in a human form.

More on her in a later post.