Pistor

that is, the baker, a surname of Jupiter at Rome, where its origin was thus related : when the Gauls were besieging Rome, the god suggested to the besieged the idea of throwing loaves of bread among the enemies, to make them believe that the Romans had plenty of provisions, and thus cause them to give up the siege. (Ov. Fhast. 6.350, 394 ; Lactant. 1.20.) This surname shows that there existed a connection between Jupiter, Vesta, and the Penates, for an altar had been dedicated to Jupiter Pistor on the very day which was sacred to Vesta. [L.S]

“Baker,” a surname given to Iupiter by the Romans, because, when their city was taken by the Gauls, the god was believed to have inspired them with the idea of throwing down loaves from the Tarpeian Hill, where they were besieged, that the enemy might suppose that they were not in want of provisions, though, in reality, they were near surrendering through famine. This deceived the Gauls, and they soon withdrew (Ovid, Fasti, vi. 343; Lactant. i. 20, 33). This story is probably not the origin of the name Pistor as applied to Iupiter; but the name is best explained as “the Pounder” (pinso), referring to his smiting with thunderbolts.