In
ancient Roman religion, a
votum, plural
vota, is a vow or promise made to
a deity. The word comes from the
past participle of the
Latin verb voveo, vovere, "vow, promise." As the result of this verbal action, a
votum is also that which fulfills a vow, that is, the thing promised, such as offerings, a statue, or even a temple building. The
votum is thus an aspect of the contractual nature of Roman religion, a bargaining expressed by
do ut des, "I give that you might give."