Myths & Beliefs - Roman Gods

Who were the capitoline triad?

Most important gods to all: Jupiter, Juno & Minerva

3 Characteristics of Roman Gods

- Immortal

- Not omnipotent / omnipresent (hence why so many different gods)

- similar emotions to humans (may get angry)

"Painting showing the main gods of the Roman pantheon"

- all different responsibilities & strengths of each god

- polytheistic religion

3 Roles of Jupiter

King of the Gods, God of the Sky, God of law & justice

Associated symbols with Jupiter

Eagles, bolts of lightning, sceptre, throne, beard

3 Facts about Jupiter

- most important / powerful god

- tries to impose his will on the rest of the pantheon

- promiscuous as he had many children with mortals on earth despite being married

- name is from the proto italic word for day/sky

Common epithets for Jupiter

- the thunderer

- the cloud-gatherer

- supreme father of gods & men

Why were eagles seen as a good omen?

Eagles were Jupiter's messenger & Jupiter was the protector of the people & their city

4 Roles of Juno

Queen of the Gods, Goddess of marriage & childbirth, goddess of family, chief goddess of Roman pantheon

Associated symbols with Juno

Peacock, sat on throne with sceptre, veiled

4 Facts about Juno

- wife & sister to Jupiter

- protector of women in Rome

- attempted revenge on Jupiter's mortal lovers e.g. responsible for Hercules' Twelve Labours

- shares power with Jupiter so most important female god

3 Roles of Minerva

Goddess of Wisdom, Goddess of Arts and Crafts, Goddess of warfare & strategy

Associated Symbols with Minerva

Owl, Helmet (battle gear), Olive Tree, long robe, snake, aegis (shield)

Common epithets of Minerva

- virgin goddess

- grey eyed of the golden ages

4 Facts about Minerva

- Jupiter ate his daughter as a prophecy said she would overthrow him

- Jupiter's head hurt so it was cracked open where Minerva fully clothed in battle armour came out

- inventor of plough, horse bridle, chariots

- strong, untouchable virgin

- her name means intelligent / understanding

Mars?

God of war

Associated symbols with Mars

Dog, wild boar, vulture, in full battle armour

Why was Mars important?

- prayed to before battle to give the Romans victory

- father of Romulus and Remus who founded Rome

- son of Jupiter & Juno

How can we see today that the Romans admired Mars?

- fields outside Rome where the military trained / military campaigns were decided (Campus Martius)

- March was named after him as it was the time when new military campaigns would start

Facts about Vulcan

- made Jupiter's thunderbolts

- Romans prayed to him to avoid destructive fires

- Vulcanalia celebrated in hottest month August as the heat threatened crops

- son of Jupiter & Juno; brother of Mars

Venus?

Goddess of Love & Fertility

Associated symbols with Venus

Dove, swan, roses, nude, great beauty

Neptune?

God of sea, earthquakes, horses

Associated symbols with Neptune

Trident (to make earthquakes), horses, dolphin, on hippocampus (seahorse) in water

Why was Neptune important

- sailors pray to him for a safe voyage / naval victories (sea storms were a sign of his displeasure)

- Roman empire & trading spanned across the sea

- brother to Jupiter & Pluto

Vulcan?

God of fire, blacksmiths

Associated symbols with Vulcan

Hammer, quail bird, fire, ugly

Pluto?

God of the Underworld

Associated symbols with Pluto

Cerberus (3 headed dog who guards), Helmet/Cap of Invisibility, Pomegranate

Why was Pluto important

- has control over/judges all dead mortals

- wealthy as he owns all gold/silver in the ground

- brother of Jupiter & Neptune

Common epithets for Pluto

- Dis Pater (punisher of evil doers)

- Orcus

Why was Venus important

- mother of aeneas so many claimed descent from her

- girls gave offerings to her to seek her blessings for love & beauty

- married to vulcan but had affairs either Mars

Apollo?

god of music, light, prophecy

Associated symbols with Apollo

Lyre (small harp), Sun, mice, laurel tree, beautiful & eternally youthful

Facts about Apollo

- wise & has a good sense of morality

- Origin of the Oracle of Delphi: method of determining prophecies

- son of Jupiter & twin brother of Diana

Diana?

goddess of the wilderness/hunt, moon, childbirth + protector of the low class (plebeians) & slaves

Why was Diana important to SOME Romans?

- women would pray to her to get pregnant / have an easy delivery

- slaves would seek refuge in temples dedicated to Diana

- daughter of Jupiter from his affairs

Associated symbols with Diana

Moon, deer, silver bow & arrow, woodland, wild animals

Vesta

Goddess of hearth, home, family

Associated symbols with Vesta

Fireplace, Ass

Mercury?

God of travellers, money, Messenger God

Associated symbols with Mercury

Crane, Winged sandals & helmet, caduceus (his staff)

3 Facts about Mercury

- the divine herald (messenger to mortals)

- many Romans worshipped him as he's god of money

- escorts souls to the Underworld

- son of Jupiter from affairs

How do we know that Vesta was important

- Vestal virgins (girl priests) show dedication to Vesta, a virgin herself

- They keep the sacred flame burning eternally in the main temple of Vesta

- sister of Jupiter

"Ad Urbe Condita, Livy"

- Gods were very important & publically respected as they each had a couch

- Pluto not being here suggests he is one of the less admired Gods

- They all may have a familial connection with each other

"Ovid Metamorphoses"

- Tests hospitality of Baucis & Philemon - suggests God test mortals regularly

- they play tricks similar to humans

- supernatural powers to change appearance

"Gilt Bronze Head of Minerva"

- would have had layers of gold gildings

- expensive material shows how much they admired her

- depicted human-like