In Roman mythology, Moneta
(Latin Moneta
) was a title given to two separate goddesses: the goddess of memory (identified with the Greek goddess Mnemosyne) and an epithet of Juno, called Juno Moneta
(Latin Iuno Moneta
). The latter's name is source of numerous words in English and the Romance languages, including the word "money".
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MONETA TICKETS
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Moneta
The goddess Moneta was created largely under the influence of
Greek religion as a cognate of
Mnemosyne, the goddess of memory and the mother of the
Muses. The goddess's name is derived from Latin
monere
(which means to remind, warn, or instruct).
The epithet Moneta given to
Juno more likely derives from the Greek word "moneres" and means "alone, unique".
Juno Moneta
Juno Moneta, an epithet of
Juno, was the protectress of funds. As such, money in ancient
Rome was coined in her temple. The word "moneta" had come to mean "money", "currency", or "mint" by the times of writers such as
Ovid,
Martial,
Juvenal, and
Cicero.
As with the goddess Moneta, Juno Moneta's name is derived either from the Latin
monere
, since, as protectress of funds, she "warned" of instability or more likely from the Greek "moneres" meaning "alone, unique", an epithet that every mother has.
In Culture
Moneta is the name assumed by a character in
Dan Simmons'
Hyperion Cantos.
References