Veiovis
is explained by Festus (p. 379, ed. Miller) to mean " little Jupiter" (comp.
Ov. Fast. 3.445); while others interpret it " the destructive Jupiter," and identify him with Pluto. (
Gel. 5.12;
Macr. 3.9.) But Veiovis and Vedius (Martian. Capell. ii. p. 40), which are only different forms of the same name, seem to designate an Etruscan divinity of a destructive nature, whose fearful lightnings produced deafness in those who were to be struck by them, even before they were actually hurled. (
Amm. Marc. 17.10.) His temple at Rome stood between the Capitol and the Tarpeian rock; he was represented as a youthful god armed with arrows, and his festival fell before the nones of March. (Gell.
l.c. ; Vitr. 4.8.)
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