I.the tutelar deity or genius of a person, place, etc. (cf.: lares, penates).
I. In gen.: “genium dicebant antiqui naturalem deum uniuscujusque loci vel rei aut hominis,” Serv. Verg. G. 1, 302; cf. Voss ad loc.; Verg. A. 5, 95; Juv. 6, 22; Liv. 21, 62, 9; Mart. 7, 12, 10: “eundem esse genium et larem, multi veteres memoriae prodiderunt, in queis etiam Granius Flaccus,” Censor. de Die Nat. 3, 2; Prud. adv. Symm. 2, 369; 444: “scit Genius, natale comes qui temperat astrum, Naturae deus humanae, mortalis in unum Quodque caput, vultu mutabilis, albus et ater,” Hor. Ep. 2, 2, 187: “genius tuus malus,” Flor. 4, 7, 8. —In urgent petitions and in oaths appeals were made to the Genius of the person addressed, or to that of some eminent person: “te per Genium ... Obsecro et obtestor,” Hor. Ep. 1, 7, 94; cf. Sen. Ep. 12, 12; Tib. 4, 5, 8; Suet. Calig. 27; Dig. 12, 2, 13, § 6.— “On festal occasions the Genius was propitiated: cras Genium mero Curabis et porco bimestri,” Hor. C. 3, 17, 14; id. Ep. 2, 1, 144; id. A. P. 210; Pers. 2, 3; Ov. Am. 1, 8, 94 et saep.; cf. Tib. 1, 7, 49: “magne Geni, cape dona libens votisque faveto,” id. 4, 5, 9: “acceptus Geniis December (because the Saturnalian festivals occurred in it),” Ov. F. 3, 58: “genium loci ... precatur,” Verg. A. 7, 136: “GENIO LOCI,” Inscr. Orell. 343 sq.; 1697; 1701: “COLONIAE,” ib. 367; 1693 sq.: “MVNICIPII,” ib. 689; 1690 sq.: “CVRIAE,” ib. 1120: “FORI VINARII,” ib. 4087: “THEATRI,” ib. 1713: “Lateranus deus est focorum et Genius,” Arn. 4, 6 et saep.: “Priapi,” Petr. 21: “Famae,” Mart. 7, 12, 10: “JOVIS,” Inscr. Orell. 1730; 2488: “DEORVM,” ib. 1730.—
II. In partic.
A. With respect to the enjoyment of life.
1. The spirit of social enjoyment, fondness for good living, taste, appetite, inclination: “isti qui cum geniis suis belligerant, parcipromi,” Plaut. Truc. 1, 2, 81; cf.: “egomet me defraudavi Animumque meum geniumque meum,” id. Aul. 4, 9, 15; and: “suum defrudans genium,” sacrificing his inclinations, Ter. Phorm. 1, 1, 10 Ruhnk.: “sapis multum ad genium,” Plaut. Pers. 1, 3, 28: “hic quidem meliorem Genium tuum non facies,” id. Stich. 4, 2, 42: “nunc et amico meo prosperabo et genio meo multa bona faciam,” id. Pers. 2, 3, 11: “indulge genio: carpamus dulcia,” id. ib. 5, 151.—Hence,
2. A term used by parasites for entertainer, patron: “ecquis est, qui mihi commonstret Phaedromum genium meum?” Plaut. Curc. 2, 3, 22; 5, 2, 29; id. Capt. 4, 2, 99; id. Men. 1, 2, 29. —
B. Of the intellect, wit, talents, genius (very rare): “nemo mathematicus genium indemnatus habebit,” Juv. 6, 562: “victurus genium debet habere liber,” Mart. 6, 60, 10. —Hence, in a pun with the preced. signif., Mart. 7, 78, 7.
