Roman Godsand

Roman Goddesses

Roman Religion• Before Christianity, the Romans prayed to

hundreds of different gods. Everyone made sacrifices in the temple or their home to keep the gods happy. Each god looked after one aspect of people’s lives.

• They adopted many of the Greek Gods and Goddesses, and based their beliefs on a series of myths

• Other gods important in the home were the family spirits (lares) and domestic spirits (penates).

• The Lararium altar is the sacred place of the home where offerings and prayers were made to the gods everyday.

• The main Lararium altar was usually in the Atrium -front reception room, near the front door or located near the hearth.

Jupiter

Roman Name: JupiterGreek Name: ZeusDomain: Supreme god of Roman pantheon; god of thunder and skyCharacteristics: Short temper, many affairs, feared his wife (Juno) above allSymbols: Eagle, thunderbolt, bull, oak

Juno

Roman Name: JunoGreek Name: HeraDomain: Queen of the Gods, goddess of women and marriageCharacteristics: Jealousy of husband, anger and revengeSymbols: Peacock, cow

Neptune

Roman Name: NeptuneGreek Name: PoseidonDomain: God of the sea and earthquakesCharacteristics: Terrifying to sailors, powerful, attractive, always movingSymbols: Trident, dolphins, horses

Minerva

Roman Name: MinervaGreek Name: AthenaDomain: Goddess of wisdom, warfare, medicine and craftsCharacteristics: Born of Jupiter’s brain and his favorite daughter, wiseSymbols: Owl

MarsRoman Name: MarsGreek Name: AresDomain: God of war and bloodshedCharacteristics: Handsome, strong, arrogant, troublesome, avoided by other deitiesSymbols: Vulture, burning torch, spear and shield

VenusRoman Name: VenusGreek Name: AphroditeDomain: Goddess of love and beautyCharacteristics: Could be kind but also harsh, vain, caused havoc if angeredSymbols: doves, sparrows, swans

ApolloRoman Name: ApolloGreek Name: ApolloDomain: God of music, sun, truth, prophecy and artsCharacteristics: Twin to Diana, protective of mother Latona, gentle and warm, flew sun across the sky Symbols: Lyre, bow and arrow, sun, laurels

DianaRoman Name: DianaGreek Name: ArtemisDomain: Goddess of the moon, hunting, virginity Characteristics: Twin to Apollo, cold and pitilessSymbols: Bow and arrow, cypress tree, deer

VestaRoman Name: VestaGreek Name: HestiaDomain: Goddess of hearth, home and familyCharacteristics: Guardian of women, watched over domestic tasks, Vestal Virgins guarded her flameSymbols: Sacred flame, plain wooden throne

Mercury

Roman Name: MercuryGreek Name: HermesDomain: Messenger God of commerce, athletes and travelersCharacteristics: Mischievous, quick and clever, loyal, good negotiatorSymbols: Winged sandals and hat, caduceus

VulcanRoman Name: VulcanGreek Name: HephaestusDomain: God of fire, volcanoes, blacksmiths and craftsmenCharacteristics: Created Jupiter’s thunderbolts, cast off of Olympus by Juno because he was born uglySymbols: Hammer, anvil, tongs, fire

PlutoRoman Name: PlutoGreek Name: HadesDomain: God of the Underworld, judge of the deadCharacteristics: brother to Jupiter and Neptune, married to ProserpinaSymbols: scepter, Cerebrus