OPI, OPALIA, OPICONSIVIA. - Opi, an ancient Roman goddess, is often identified in literary testimonies with the Greek Rhea and consequently appears as the wife of Saturno (Kronos).
Originally, however, as is apparent from the arrangement of the archaic calendar, Opi was closely connected with another god, Conso: her two festivals, the Opalia of 19 December and the Opiconvixia of 25 August, follow at an equal interval the two Consullia (15 December, 21 August). The very name of the festival Opiconvixia, which corresponds to a divine name Ops Consivia, implies the same relationship. The sanctuary of Opi Consivia was located in the regia, and no one could enter it except the Vestals and a public priest. Later Opi also had a temple on the Campidoglio: in the age of Augusto, the matrons assembled before this temple to celebrate the secular games; state documents were kept in the temple. The name of the goddess means both abundance (opei, opulentia, etc.) and help, protection (opem ferre, cf. the goddess’s epithet: opifera). Opi was prayed to while seated, touching the ground.