Vertumnus
or
Vortumnus. An alleged Etruscan divinity, but this origin seems to
be refuted by his genuine Roman name (from
verto). The Romans connected
Vertumnus with all occurrences to which the verb
verto applies, such as
the change of seasons, purchase and sale, the return of rivers to their proper beds, etc. But
in reality the god was connected only with the transformation of plants and their progress
from blossom to fruit. Hence the story that when Vertumnus was in love
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Vertumnus. (Berlin Museum.)
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with Pomona he assumed all possible forms, until at last he gained his end by
metamorphosing himself into a blooming youth. Gardeners accordingly offered to him the first
produce of their gardens and garlands of budding flowers. The whole people celebrated a
festival to Vertumnus on the 23d of August, under the name of the
Vortumnalia, denoting the transition from the beautiful season of autumn
to the less agreeable one. The importance of the worship of Vertumnus at Rome is evident from
the fact that it was attended to by a special flamen (
flamen Vortumnalis). See
Flamen.