Il dio Verminus protettore della città: ipotesi sull’epidemia del 142 a.C. a Roma che dal bestiame dell’agro si diffuse tra la popolazione urbana

After the important historical-archaeological study by Filippo Coarelli, here we discuss the late Republican dedication to the god Verminus, engraved on an hourglass altar dating back to 142 b. C., coming from the agger of the Servian Walls, near the Viminalis gate. Once again, the key role of the duoviro appointed under the law Plaetoria (de dedicatione), A(ulus) Postumius A (uli) f (ilius) A(uli) n(epos) Albi(nus) emerges once again, in charge of the restoration of this altar and other altars, such as the urban ones near the cult area of Largo Argentina placed to the goddess Feronia and perhaps to Iuturna. The rare cult of the god Verminus is analyzed by crossing the ancient sources, in particular Giulio Ossequente and Orosio, underlining the dual function attributed to the god: protector and healer from the serious epidemic that raged in Rome in 142 b. C. and which first involved animals living in rural areas and then men in urban areas, according to the well-known effect of the «cross species transmission». It is a precious testimony to the complexity of Roman religion, analyzed through the physiognomy of an almost unknown god, whose cult - practiced outside the pomerium - has conservative characteristics but also records signs of innovation, albeit very timid.