ORCO. - The use of the word Orcus in Latin is manifold: it may denote a place (the Underworld), a god, or the personification of death. As a god, O. has been equivalent in literature, since Ennius, to the Greek Pluto (Lat. Dispater).
In independent form, O. has in Roman religion neither a temple nor a demonstrable cult: the only ritual observance connected with his name is mentioned by Servius, according to whom the public festival called Orci nuptiae referred to the marriage of Cerere. Since in the classical tradition it is not Cerere but Proserpina who is abducted by Pluto, some infer from this notice a great Italic antiquity of the rite and the related myth; the antiquity of the god O. would also appear from certain Italic gentilicial names (Orcesius, etc.). Others claim to demonstrate the priority of O. = “Underworld” over O. the god. Its survivals in folklore are doubtful (e.g., French ogre, ogresse).