Editing Consus (section)

==Function and associations==
The festivals of Ops ([[Opiconsivia]] or [[Opalia]]) followed Consus' closely, being held every August&nbsp;25 and December&nbsp;19, at the time of reaping and the seeding of crops.

Consus became a god associated with secret conferences. The grammarian [[Maurus Servius Honoratus|Servius]] says that Consus is the god of councils.<ref name=Servius/> This fact stems from the role played by Consus in the abduction of the Sabine women, which took place on the occasion of the ''Consualia aestiva'' and was considered to have been advised by the god himself.
This power of hidden counselling held by Consus seems to be related to the concept expressed by Dionysius and Plutarch that he is the "holder" of the Earth, an idea that makes of him a parallel to [[Neptune (mythology)|Neptune]].

So although it is certain that ''condere'' and ''consulere'' are from two different roots, it looks the character of Consus as hidden master of the Earth was at the basis of the identification with [[Neptune (mythology)|Neptune]], as well as the strict affinity of the two gods with the horse.

According to G. Capdeville, it was a customary event that games were held at the foundation of a new settlement. These were connected with rituals that included athletic games such as footraces and marriage games along with invitations to settle in the new town: He mentions the instances of [[Caeculus]] at [[Praeneste]] and other settlements in Crete ([[Dreros]], [[Hierapytna]], [[Praisos]], [[Lyttos]], [[Knossos]]). These events all had a religious meaning. In Crete, as well as in Rome, it looks like the god involved was Vulcan ({{math|Bελχάνος}}), i.e. the [[Zeus#Zeus Velchanos|Cretan ''megas Kouros'']], later interpreted as [[Zeus]]. In Rome the relationship of Vulcan with Consus is apparent in the dates of their festivals and the fact that the ''flamen volcanalis'' officiated at the [[Calends]] of May the sacrifice to [[Bona Dea]].

Consus is perhaps to be identified with "Equestrian Neptune" (''[[Neptunus Equestris]]'').<ref name=EB1911/> Mule or horse races were the main event of the festival.<ref name=Aldington-Ames-1968/> During the festival horses and mules were garlanded with flowers, and given a rest from work.<ref name=Aldington-Ames-1968/> This fact is ascribed by Capdeville to the fact that [[Poseidon]] was the successor of the unknown god of the Arcadian Hippocrateia mentioned by [[Dionysius of Halicarnassus]], who himself was perhaps the successor of a horse god.<ref name=Capdeville-1993/>{{rp|style=ama|page= 178, note&nbsp;141}} A close connection of Consus with the two [[Pales]] and of both with the horse looks apparent.{{refn|Capdeville (1993)<ref name=Capdeville-1993/>{{rp|style=ama|page= 180, note&nbsp;149}} also citing<br/>{{cite journal |author=Dumézil, G. |author-link=Georges Dumézil |title={{grey|[article on the mare Viśpala of the RgVeda]}} |journal=Eranos |year=1956}}{{full citation|date=September 2022}} }}