History
Libitina is the ancient Roman goddess of funerals, Morticians and corpses, her name had been synonymous with death. A coin was deposited whenever a death occurred out of respect for her. Her temples where equipped with all the tools needed for a funeral by her sacred undertakers in Rome. There all deaths were registered for statistical purposes. Also the day in day out records of offerings of money and goods, and maintenance of the temple to Libitina were also keep in documentation.
Libitina has been depicted in Roman antiquities as having wings and dressed in black robes. Libitina may have been originally an earth goddess connected with nature and enjoyment of life.
The grove of Libitina was located on the Esquiline Hill. A guild of funeral undertakers and funeral caretakers was based in the grove of Libitina. Her festival was called Feralia and would be celebrated for a week long. It was done in honor of Libitina and there would be communion with the spirits of the dead.
Libitina has almost disappeared into obscurity that it is seldom mentioned when the gods and goddesses of antiquity are reviewed.
Libitina In Comics
Essential Story-lines
Libitina has been adapted from the Roman mythology of the Olympians by a few Comics publishers. She has had an appearance or mention in the following series Grips Special #1 – Grips, published by Greater Mercury.