What is "empanda"

In ancient Roman religion, Empanda or Panda was a goddess, or possibly an epithet of Juno.

Festus identifies her only as a dea paganorum, "goddess of the pagans." Varro connects the word with pandere, "to open," but also explains it by panem dare, "to give bread," so that Empanda would be the goddess of bread or food.

She had a sanctuary near the gate which led to the capitol and which was called the Porta Pandana after her. Her temple was an asylum which was always open. Needy supplicants who came to it were supplied with food from the resources of the temple. In the opinion of Leonhard Schmitz, this custom shows the meaning of the name Panda or Empanda: it is connected with pandere, to open; she is accordingly the goddess who is open to or admits any one who wants protection. Hartung thinks that Empanda and Panda are only surnames of Juno.

Empanda is a genus of the spider family Salticidae ( jumping spiders). Its only described species Empanda ornata is only found in Guatemala.