numen

In Roman religion, numen (plural numina) refers to a spiritual force or divine power associated with natural objects, phenomena, or places. The term originates from the Latin word for "nod of the head," suggesting a god's consent or command. Ancient Romans believed this divine force inspired awe and could be found in springs, woods, or even stones believed to be from the sky.12

While numen implies a divine presence, it's anachronistic to equate it directly with the modern concept of "spirit" in early Roman times. The Romans also recognized deities in human-like forms, such as Jupiter, the sky god. The word numen eventually came to describe this awe-inspiring divine will or power.21