A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

or ANGUI'TIA, a goddess worshipped by the Marsians and Marrubians, who lived about the shores of the lake Fucinus. She was believed to have been once a being who actually lived in that neighbourhood, taught the people remedies against the poison of serpents, and had derived her name from being able to kill serpents by her incantations (from angere or anguis, Serv. ad Aen. 7.750). According to the account given by Servius, the goddess was of Greek origin, for Angitia, says he, was the name given by the Marrubians to Medea, who after having left Colchis came to Italy with Jason and taught the people the above mentioned remedies. Silius Italicus (8.498, &c.) identifies her completely with Medea. Her name occurs in several inscriptions (Orelli, p. 87, No. 116; p. 335, No. 1846), in one of which she is mentioned along with Angerona, and in another her name appears in the plural form. From a third inscription (Orelli, p. 87, No. 115) it seems that she had a temple and a treasury belonging to it. The Silvia Angitia between Alba and lake Fucinus derived its name from her. (Solin. c 2.)

[L.S]