Equester

and in Greek Ἵππιος, occurs as a surname of several divinities, such as Poseidon (Neptune), who had created the horse, and in whose honour horse-races were held (Serv. ad Virg. Georg. 1.12; Liv. 1.9; Paus. 5.15.4), of Aphrodite (Serv. ad Aen. 1.724), Hera (Paus. 5.15.4), Athena (Paus. 1.30.4, 31.3, 5.15.4, 8.47.1), and Ares. (Paus. 5.15.4.) The Roman goddess Fortuna bore the same surname, and the consul Flaccus vowed a temple to her in B. C. 180, during a battle against the Celtiberians. (Liv. 40.40, 42.3.) Tacitus (Tac. Ann. 3.71) mentions a temple of Fortuna Equestris at Antium. [L.S]