AVERRUNCI, in Antiquity, an order of deities among the Ancients whose office was to avert dangers and evils. See GOD. The Greeks called this species of gods, ἀλεξίκακοι, or ἀποτρόπαιοι; and their feast ἀλεξικακία: sometimes, ἀποτρόπαιοι. The Egyptians had also their δαίμονες ἀποτρόπαιοι, who were pictured in a menacing posture, and sometimes with whips in their hands.—Isis was a divinity of this kind; as is shown by Kircher. See OEDIP. Aegypt. T. III. p. 487.
