Februus
[Romulus mensem ] secundum dicavit ~o, id est Plutoni [cf. ]Isid. Etym. V 33. 4
sedenis Februus cito solus ab omnibus errat
prima dies Februi est jam qua patitur Policarpus
terminat hic Februus cum talia fine perfacta
he febres ~um decent [gl.: Februus est Pluto, a quo Februarius, quia ille mensis Diti dicatus erat ]
lucibus et geminis Februus esto minor
vota do Diti Februa mensis habet
an ancient Italian divinity, to whom the month of February was sacred, for in the latter half of that month great and general purifications and lustrations were celebrated, which were at the same time considered to produce fertility among men as well as beasts. Hence the month of February was also sacred to Juno, the goddess of marriage, and she was therefore surnamed Februata. or Februtis. (Fest. s. v. Februarius; Arnob. 3.30.) The name Februus is connected with februare (to purify), and februae (purifications). (Varro, de L. L. 6.13; Ov. Fast. 2.31, &c.) Another feature in the character of this god, which is however intimately connected with the idea of purification, is, that he was also regarded as a god of the lower world, for the festival of the dead (Feralia) was likewise celebrated in February (Macr. 1.4, 13; Ov. Fast. 2.535, &c.); and Anysius (ap. J. Lydum, de Mens. i. p. 618) states, that Februus in Etruscan signified the god of the lower world (κααταχθόνιος). Hence Februus was identified with Pluto. When the expiator sacrifices were burnt, the people threw the ashes backwards over their heads into the water. (Serv. ad Virg. Georg. 1.43; Isidor. Orig. 5.33; Voss. in Virg. Eclog. 8.101.) [L.S]
An ancient Italian divinity, to whom the month of February was sacred. The name is connected with februare (to purify). See Februalia.