Mercury was the god of trade and profit, merchants, and travelers. He was the son of Jupiter and Maia. Mercury had a temple on the Aventine Hill in Rome as well as a shrine in the Circus Maximus. His festival was the Mercuralia, observed on May 15, the day merchants sprinkled their heads and merchandise with water from his well near the Porta Capena.

• Mercury was depicted holding a purse (for commerce), winged sandals, cap, and staff
• According to Juvenal, Romans put posts with marble heads of Mercury at the intersection of roads