In
Roman mythology, Pilumnus ("staker") was a nature deity, brother of
Picumnus. He ensured children grew properly and stayed healthy. Ancient Romans made an extra bed after the birth of a child in order to ensure the help of Pilumnus. He also taught humanity how to grind
grain
A grain is a small, hard, dry fruit (caryopsis) – with or without an attached hull layer – harvested for human or animal consumption. A grain crop is a grain-producing plant. The two main types of commercial grain crops are cereals and legum ...
. He was also sometimes identified as the husband of
Danaë, and therefore the father of
Danaus
In Greek mythology, Danaus (, ; grc, Δαναός ''Danaós'') was the king of Libya. His myth is a foundation legend of Argos, one of the foremost Mycenaean cities of the Peloponnesus. In Homer's ''Iliad'', "Danaans" ("tribe of Danaus") and " ...
and the ancestor of
Turnus.
A ceremony to honour the deity involved driving a stake into the ground.
References
* Michael Jordan, Encyclopedia of Gods, Kyle Cathie Limited, 2002
Google Books - The Cult of Silvanus: A Study in Roman Folk Religion
Health gods
Nature gods
Roman gods
Childhood gods
Agricultural gods
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