ORCUS. - The use of the word Orcus in Latin is manifold: it can indicate a place (the Underworld), a god, or the personification of death. As a god, in literature O. has been equivalent since Ennius to the Greek Pluto (Latin Dispater).

In independent form O. has in Roman religion neither a temple nor any demonstrable cult: the only ritual celebration linked to his name is mentioned by Servius, according to whom the public festival called Orci nuptiae referred to the marriage of Ceres. Since in the classical tradition it is not Ceres but Proserpina who is abducted by Pluto, some conclude from this notice a great Italic antiquity of the rite and the connected myth; the antiquity of the god O. would also appear from certain Italic gentile names (Orcesius, etc.). Others claim to demonstrate the priority of O. = "Underworld" over O. as god. The survivals in folklore (e.g., French ogre, ogresse) are doubtful.

Bibliography2 works

BIBL.: G. Wissowa, Religion und Kultus der Römer, 2nd ed., Munich 1921, p. 310; H. Wagenvoort, Orcus, in Studi e materiali di storia delle religioni, 14 (1958), p. 33 ff., W. Mackauer, Orcus, in Pauly-Wissowa, XVIII (1939), col. 908 ff.

Angelo Brelich

@incollection{ec9_orco, author = {Brelich, Angelo}, title = {Orco}, booktitle = {Enciclopedia Cattolica}, volume = {IX}, pages = {215--216}, note = {Cited by column}, publisher = {Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico}, address = {Città del Vaticano}, year = {1952}, url = {https://azioneromana.com/article/orco} }

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