What was the Phrygian goddess brought to Rome during the Second Punic War?

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The Phrygian goddess brought to Rome during the Second Punic War is known as Magna Mater, or the Great Mother. She was originally worshipped in Phrygia, an ancient kingdom located in what is now Turkey, and was associated with fertility and motherly aspects of nature.

Her introduction to Roman culture was significant, particularly during a time of crisis like the Second Punic War, when the Romans sought divine assistance and protection. The arrival of her cult was marked by the procession of her sacred stone from Pessinus to Rome in 204 BCE, which symbolized her presence and influence in the city. This event not only marked the adoption of her worship in Rome but also reflected the broader trend of integrating foreign deities and rituals into Roman religious practice, especially in times of distress.

Isis, although an important goddess from Egypt, was not specifically Phrygian. Mithras was a deity from Persian and later Roman mystery religions, and Lupercalia is a festival with roots in Roman tradition rather than a deity associated with the Phrygian pantheon. Thus, Magna Mater stands out as the rightful answer to this question.

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