Spes
the personification of hope, was worshipped at Rome, where she had several temples, the most ancient of which had been built in B. C. 354, by the consul Atilius Calatinus, near the Porta Carmentalis (Liv. 2.51, 21.62, 24.47, 25.7, 40.51; Tac. Ann. 2.49). The Greeks also worshipped the personification of hope, Elpis, and they relate the beautiful allegory, that when Epimetheus opened the vessel brought to him by Pandora, from which all manner of evils were scattered over the earth, Hope (Elpis) alone remained behind (Hes. Op. et D. 96 ; Theognis, 1135). Hope was represented presented in works of art as a youthful figure, lightly walking in full attire, holding in her right hand a flower, and with the left lifting up her garment. (Hirt, Mythol. Bilderb. p. 100; Müller, Anc. Art and its Rem. § 406.) [L.S]
The Roman personification of hope, especially of hope for a good harvest, and (in later times) for the blessing of children. There were several temples to Spes in Rome, the oldest dating from B.C. 354 (Livy, xxiv. 47). She was represented as a youthful figure, moving along lightly in a long robe, which was raised a little in her left hand, while her right bore a bud, either closed or just about to open, denoting especially her tutelage of gardens. In the course of time she came to be usually considered as a goddess of the future, invoked at births and marriages, and on similar occasions. On the legend of the Greek goddess of Hope (Ἐλπίς), see Pandora.