Painting by John Robert Cozens (1777), with the title “Nemi Lake and Genzano”. Close to the volcanic lake of Nemi, at the centre of the Alban Hills, was located the most prominent sanctuary dedicated to Diana, a goddess worshiped by all the ancient peoples of Latium. Originally she was a divinity of light, in particular of the moonlight, and, after her identification with Artemis, she was regarded also as a goddess of the hunt, of the wild animals and patroness of the women in labour. The sanctuary was in a sacred grove, a nemus, from which derives the epithet of Diana Nemorensis. Besides the temple were celebrated nocturnal ceremonies, mainly performed by women, with processions in the light of torches, which in the most ancient times were held on August 13, the day of the Ides, indicating the period of full moon. Another well-known temple dedicated to Diana was located not far from Capua, on the Mount Tifata. The name of the mountain means “wood of evergreen oaks”, confirming the holiness of some woods, into which, in later times, were erected temples or sanctuaries in honour of the divinities who resided in these places.
[Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Robert_Cozens]