Genius in Roman mythology

In Ro­man mythology, the genius was a tutelary deity or protecting spirit. Every man was supposed to be accompanied from his cradle to his grave by two genii. The good genius brought all good things into his life, while the evil genius was responsible for whatever of unhappiness and misfortune fell to his lot. From his birth till his death, these two genii strove each for the mastery of his destiny. Not only was each man thus attended, but every created thing, every animal or plant or inanimate object, every stream or mountain or forest, had its peculiar genius. The nation also had its genius. In the vicinity of the Roman Forum a statue was erected to the national genius, and a representation of this figure is seen frequently on coins.

From this belief in the divine guardianship of the destiny of man, the peculiarities of mind and character which are closely associated with the career of each individual were ascribed to the genius. Thus arose the modern word, genius, to denote peculiar mental bent or faculty, as a genius for mathematics. The specific use of the word to denote superior creative gift or endowment implies that such gift is a part of his inborn nature, as the genii who were believed to guard his destiny were with him from the moment of birth.

The word genii (genie) has been used as a name for the djinn or jinn of the Orientals. The djinn, however, was a totally differ­ent being from the Roman genius. Djinns were of intermedíate rank between angels and men, but inferior in dignity to both. They were created of fire, and were invisible to man. The djinns can assume any form of man or brute. They are usually the enemies of mandkind, but, if subdued by the spells of powerful magicians, may be made to serve man, which they can do most succesfully on account of their wonderful powers.