Classics 270- Chapter 23

Numina

Meaning “nodders,” they are spirits that can inhabit almost any object or serve almost any function, petty or grand. Their will was revealed through divination, at which the Romans were adept and all proceedings required the “nod” of the invisible powers.

Janus

One of the best known numina who was in origin a numen of bridges, hence of going forth and returning. He was represented as a man with two faces, one looking forward, the other back.

Jupiter

Originally god of the bright sky, but he was worshiped in many manifestations. He became the incarnation of the striking power of the Roman state and was represented by an eagle. Husband of Juno

Juno

Roman goddess of women and marriage who is associated with Hera. She was the wife of Jupiter and had close ties with the moon.

Ceres

The numen of wheat and the harvest. She was from an early time equated with Demeter. Mother of Proserpina

Diana

The Roman Artemis, goddess of the hunt and childbirth. Daughter of Jupiter and sister of Apollo

Mercury

God of commerce and trade who the equivalent to the Greek Hermes. Has no ancient Italian heritage and his name is suggestive of his commercial activities as merx is Latin for “merchandise.”

Vulcan

He is identified with Hephaestus who was son of Jupiter and Juno. He was a god of volcanic and other forms of destructive fire

Neptune

Numen of water and he was not associated with the sea until identified with Poseidon. Like Poseidon, he is depicted with a trident and horses.

Mars

Equivalent to the Greek Ares. God of war and associated with the wolf. He was believed to be the father of Remus and Romulus

Minerva

Goddess of wisdom and crafts who is the equivalent to the Greek Athena. In art she is depicted with helmet, spear, and shield. Daughter of Jupiter

Faunus

God of nature and forests and is identified with Pan. He is depicted with horns and hoofs.

Venus

Goddess of freshwater, vegetable fertility, and animal and human fertility. Is associated with the Greek goddess Aphrodite. Mother of Aeneas

Hercules

He had the earliest foreign cult at Rome. According to legend, he had passed through Rome long before Aeneas, and liberated the city from the ferocious cattle-rustler Cacus

Lares

They began as protective ghosts of the fertile field, then came to protect all kinds of places including households, streets, and whole cities. They were worshiped in small shrines at crossroads where the boundaries of four farms came together.

Penates

Similar to the Lares, they were spirits who protected a household’s things and especially its food. They are portable, unlike the the Lares who were always fixed to a specific location. In origin they were also the numina of the storehouse.

Vesta

Roman goddess who was the protectress of hearth and home. She was served by six Vestal Virgins, each chosen at the age of seven from the great families and served the state for 30 years by baking, cleaning, and tending the hearth.

Pietas

A term that refers to the extraordinary devotion that one shows first to their family, the state, and the gods. The Romans considered it the highest virtue and it was prominent from an early time and was claimed in titles used by Roman emperors and poets

Dido

Queen of Carthage who has a love affair with Aeneas. She attempted to hold Aenas back from his goal of founding a new city, but Aeneas continues on abandoning her.

Iulus

He was the son of Aeneas and founded the town of Alba Longa. He was claimed as an ancestor by the Julian clan to which Julius Caesar and Augustus belonged.

Romulus

Descendant of Aeneas, son of Mars, and twin brother of Remus. He and his brother were abandoned as infants, raised by a wolf, and later founded Rome together before he killed Remus.

Remus

Descendant of Aeneas, son of Mars, and twin brother of Romulus. He and his brother were abandoned as infants, raised by a wolf, and later founded Rome together before he was killed by Romulus

Turnus

The local king who was promised Lavinia as his bride which went against the prophecy that said she must marry a foreigner. He goes to war with Aeneas and his followers after Aeneas accepts Lavinia as his bride. He is eventually killed by Aeneas.