Roman prophetic nymph, one of the sibyls of Tibur
Albunea
Albunea is a prophetic nymph of Roman mythology, a water nymph linked to the sulphur springs of Tibur, today Tivoli, and counted among the sibyls. She matters because her figure gave rise to the Tiburtine Sibyl, whose prophecy became hugely popular in the Middle Ages.
The myth
According to tradition, Albunea lived beside the whitish sulphur springs near Tibur. Her name is linked to the Latin albinus, meaning 'white'. Beside the waters stood a sacred grove, a well and a temple dedicated to her, and she was regarded as a prophetess. Ancient sources give few details of her deeds, so her essential role is that of a seer.
The place was associated with phenomena that seemed like divine signs. Where the Anio meets the Tiber, sounds like thunder were heard, and a lake of cascades beside the hot springs released gases, which led the Romans to believe the spot was inspired by the gods.
Worship and religion
Her sanctuary at Tibur included a sacred grove, a well and a small square temple, whose remains can still be seen in Tivoli. Nearby was the oracle of Faunus the Prophet. Her responses, called sortes, belonged to the prophetic books that the Senate managed and that were kept on the Capitoline. Her cult is not practised today.
Legacy
In the Middle Ages, Albunea was identified with the Tiburtine Sibyl, who in a widely circulated legend announced to Augustus the birth of Christ. The scene was often painted and engraved from the late Middle Ages onward, and the medieval Tiburtine prophecy was frequently used as a political tool by rulers. In the 16th century, Ippolito II d'Este commissioned frescoes in the Villa d'Este celebrating the sibyl.
Ancient sources: Lactantius cites her as the tenth sibyl, worshipped at Tibur, and her image holding a book was found in the bed of the river Anio.
In art
