Exam 1 Notes - Christian Scriptures

Jupiter, Greatest and Best: Traditional Roman Religion (753 BCE - 29 CE)

  • Aeneas

    • Founder of Roman civilization

    • Born of Anchises and the goddess Venus

    • Fought in the Trojan War for Troy (battle of Troy - 1200 BCE)

      • Greeks defeat Trojans; Aeneas flees to Laurentum (where Rome would later be built)

      • Aeneas forms his own tried, and allies with the already existing tribe in Laurentum; he later becomes the king of both tribes

  • 770s - Twins Romulus and Remus born

    • Born of a priestess and Mars (god of War)

    • King wanted them killed, but they were saved and raised by a local shepherd (similar to Moses’ story)

    • Formed a gang of outcasts that became strong enough to defeat the King

    • Romulus and Remus then left to establish their own kingdom

  • Twins Travel to “Rome” (Laurentum)

    • They chose to settle on different hills: Romulus to Palatine Hill, Remus to Aventine Hill; they waited for gods to send them an omen (of prophetic significance)

    • Remus receives 6 vultures, while Romulus sees 12

    • Romulus builds a city wall, and as Remus tries to jump over it, Romulus kills him

  • Seven Kings of Rome

    1. Romulus - gave Romans their name, army, and state

      • Took a band of outcasts; turned them into an army

        • Formed a legion (4000-5000 soldiers)

      • Formed the state

        • Appointed 100 men as senators to handle state finances and international relations

      • Formed governing body

        • Divided people into tribes, each with one vote (organized this way until the fall of the Republic in 44 BCE)

    2. Numa Pompilius - gave Romans their religion and form

      • Used Religion to reshape Rome from lawless bandits into civilized society

      • Gave them their calendar with holy days

      • Established priesthoods

        • Vestal Virgins - all-female priesthood where they had to remain virgins

        • Pontifex Maximus - chief priest and advisor to the king (still held today by Pope Francis)

      • Legionary Eagles

        • Legions rallied behind a standard with an eagle on it (carried by eagle-bearer), symbolized strength & unity

        • Duty of the Legion to protect their eagle

  • Roman Religion

    • Kings of Rome overthrown in 509 BC; people decided to rule themselves

    • Romans were highly syncretistic (combination of different beliefs)

      • They believed the planet Jupiter was the god Jupiter (greek name: Zeus)

      • “Planet” comes from Greek word “planetes” (meaning wanderer)

      • All 7 “wanderers” were believed to be gods:

        • Sun (Sol), Moon (Luna), Jupiter (Zeus), Venus (Aphrodite), Saturn (Cronus), Mercury (Hermes), Mars (Ares)

[middle of p.6, “Similarly important…”]