One who is untouched by the same influences as yourself and is naturally unsympathetic cannot be either loyal or steadfast

One who is untouched by the same influences as yourself and is naturally unsympathetic cannot be either loyal or steadfast. M. Tullius Cicero. De Amictia. Laelius on friendship. Section 65.

In ancient Roman religion, Sancus (also known as Sangus or Semo Sancus) was a god of trust (fides), honesty, and oaths. His cult, one of the most ancient amongst the Romans, probably derived from Umbrian influences. The temple dedicated to Sancus stood on the Quirinal Hill. Dionysius of Halicarnassus writes that the worship of Semo Sancus was imported into Rome at a very early time by the Sabines who occupied the Quirinal Hill. According to tradition his cult was said to have been introduced by the Sabines when King Titus Tatius dedicated a small shrine there. The actual construction of the temple is generally ascribed to Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, (rather ironic) although it was dedicated by Spurius Postumius on June 5, 466 BCE. Sancus was the god who protected oaths of marriage, hospitality, law, commerce, and contracts in particular and his name was invoked at the moment of the signing of contracts or other important civil acts. Some words (like "sanctity" and "sanction" have their etymology in the name of this god, with sancire meaning "to hallow."

Image: Tarquinius and Lucretia by Titian 1571 at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge University, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.