Juturna
An Italian water nymph loved by Jupiter, who granted her dominion over springs and streams as compensation for taking her virginity.
The Myth of Juturna
Juturna is more Roman than Greek, but she enters the Greek mythological canon through Virgil's Aeneid, where she plays a poignant role. She was a nymph of Latium, associated with springs and healing waters. Jupiter desired her, and after pursuing her, granted her immortality and dominion over all the springs and rivers of Italy — a gift that was also an apology.
In the Aeneid, Juturna is the sister of Turnus, the great warrior who opposes Aeneas for control of Italy. When Turnus faces Aeneas in the final duel, Juturna desperately tries to save her brother. She disguises herself as his charioteer to steer him from danger. She stirs up the Latin troops to break the truce. She does everything a divine sister can do, but fate is immovable.
When Jupiter sends a shrieking Fury in the form of an owl to signal Turnus's doom, Juturna recognises the sign and knows her brother will die. Her lament — "What can a sister do?" — is one of the most human moments in Latin epic. She dives into her river and disappears beneath the surface.
Parents
Daunus (king of the Rutulians)
Children
Fons (by Jupiter, god of springs)
Symbols
Fun Fact
Juturna's pool in the Roman Forum — the Lacus Juturnae — was excavated in the 19th century and can still be visited today, one of the oldest sacred sites in Rome.
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