Plutus, which is the Latin spelling of Ploutos, is the god of wealth. He was supposedly born on the Greek island of Crete and is the son of a local hero named Iasion and the goddess Demeter, who is the goddess of harvest and fertility. He is often depicted as a boy carrying a horn-shaped container of wheat called a cornucopia.
Here are some interesting facts about Plutus:
Plutus Was Originally the God of Agricultural Wealth
The reason Plutus carries wheat was because he was originally meant to only represent wealth in terms of farming output, such as an abundance of crops. But he eventually came to represent wealth in general.
Plutus Was Blind
The Greek god Zeus blinded Plutus when he was very young, so that he would not just bless wealth onto good people and those who were deserving of it, but onto everybody. Famed ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes once wrote a comedy about Plutus, in which he regains his sight and thereafter only bestows wealth onto those who actually deserve it.
Plutus Was Also Handicapped and Had Wings
Plutus was not just blind, but he was also handicapped. This was to explain why wealth sometimes took a long time to come. He further had wings, which was meant to represent why he left a lot faster than he came.
Often Associated with Pluton
Pluton, which is also written as Plouton, is a Greek god similar to Plutus. He is the god of hidden bounty, and like Plutus, he is often carrying a cornucopia.
Plutus Is Often Depicted as an Infant in the Arms of Goddesses
Many depictions of Plutus show him as baby, sitting in the arms of either Tykhe (Tyche) — who is the goddess of good fortune — or Eirene (Irene), who is the goddess of peace. This was meant to show that wealth rarely comes alone. It often comes hand-in-hand with good luck or peace.
The Word “Plutocracy” Derives from Plutus
The English word “plutocracy” means a system of government in which the wealthy rule. Other English words that derive from Plutus include “plutonomics,” which is the study of wealth management, “plutomania,” which is an irrational desire for wealth, and “plutolatry,” which means idolizing wealth.
Plutus is Often Confused with Pluto
While their names may sound similar, Plutus is very different from Pluto, who is the god of the underworld.
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