Major Roman deity ranking close to Jupiter and Mars .
The flamines (see flamen ) of these three gods were the three major priests of Rome. Despite his importance, little is known about Quirinus, who was originally a god of the Sabines . He may have been another form of Mars. By the late republic he was identified with Romulus . His festival, the Quirinalia, was celebrated on February 17, and his temple was one of the oldest in Rome.