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The Romans, according to their custom of identifying their deities withthose of the Greek gods whose attributes were similar to their own,declared Cronus to be identical with their old agricultural divinitySaturn. They believed that after his defeat in the {18} Titanomachia andhis banishment from his dominions by Zeus, he took refuge with Janus, kingof Italy, who received the exiled deity with great kindness, and evenshared his throne with him. Their united reign became so thoroughlypeaceful 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 awheat-sheaf in the other.
A temple was erected to him at the foot of the Capitoline Hill, in whichwere deposited the public treasury and the laws of the state.