The Romans, according to their
custom of identifying their deities with those of the Greek gods whose
attributes were similar to their own, declared Cronus to be identical with
their old agricultural divinity Saturn. They believed that after his defeat in
the {18} Titanomachia and his banishment from his dominions by Zeus, he took
refuge with Janus, king of Italy, who received the exiled deity with great
kindness, and even shared his throne with him. Their united reign became so
thoroughly peaceful and happy, and was distinguished by such uninterrupted
prosperity, that it was called the Golden Age.
Saturn is usually represented
bearing a sickle in the one hand and a wheat-sheaf in the other.
A temple was erected to him at
the foot of the Capitoline Hill, in which were deposited the public treasury
and the laws of the state.
