<p>In Roman religion, a genius was a kind spirit that represented the essence of a person, a group or place. There was the Genius Augusti (spirit of the emperor) and the Genius Populi Romani (spirit of Roman people). Here is a statue of such a genie,
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with a crown on his head, and, in his hands, a sacrificial coupe (patera) and a cornucopia (cornucopia). 150-220 AD. Now in the British Museum, inv. 1824.0438.2. Photo taken at the Oog in oog met de Romeinen (Eye to Eye with the Romans) Exhibition in the Gallo-Romeins Museum of Tongres.
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<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/timetravelrome/51234440745/">Statuette of a protective god (genius) from the Macon treasure 150-220 AD</a>