Votum

In ancient Roman religion, a votum (plural vota; from Latin voveo, vovere 'vow, promise') is a vow or promise made to a deity. 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."