Wk12 - W - Myth - F24 - RomanReligion&Myth

Today's Goals

  • Understand the connection between Greek and Roman religion/mythology

  • Identify Roman poets who assimilated Greek mythology

  • Describe the legend of Aeneas and Vergil’s Aeneid structure

  • Compare Roman and Greek notions of heroism

Overview of Roman Religion

  • Roman gods mirror Greek gods with:

    • Zeus = Jupiter

    • Hera = Juno

    • Poseidon = Neptune

    • Hades = Pluto

    • Demeter = Ceres

    • Other equivalents include:

      • Apollo = Phoebus

      • Nike = Victoria

      • Aphrodite = Venus

      • Ares = Mars

      • Hermes = Mercury

Characteristics of Roman Religion

  • Roman Deities: Known as numen (plural: numina)

  • Native Italic gods

  • Limited in function

  • Sometimes not anthropomorphized

Janus as a Case Study:

  • God of beginnings, gates

  • The Gate of Janus: War status

  • Orthopraxy: Focus on ritual accuracy over belief

Religious Practices in Roman Society

  • Human-Divine Interactions:

    • Seen as contracts; dō ut dēs: "I give so you might give"

    • Pietas: Key virtue; duty to family/state

  • Ancestor Worship:

    • Masks/busts displayed in homes

    • Concept of Genius; essence from ancestors

Features of Roman Religion

  • Death viewed as non-final; ancestors are present

  • Stoicism: Fate dictates actions; duty to follow nature

  • Divine intervention as a guiding force

Roman Poetry and Mythology

  • Influence: Roman poets adapted Greek mythology post-conquest

  • Notable poets: Catullus, Vergil, Ovid, and Horace

  • Horace's commentary on Greek influence: "Captive Greece took captive her savage conqueror"

The Legend of Aeneas

  • Aeneas' Journey: Trojan perspective on war

  • Escapes Troy with family and household gods

  • Father of Augustus; establishes divine lineage

  • Vergil's Aeneid: Aimed to rival Homeric epics; two phases:

    • Odyssean: Journey and wanderings

    • Iliadic: Trojans as aggressors

Themes in the Aeneid

  • Importance of fate and divine purpose

  • Emphasis on family and loyalty (pietas)

  • Romans portrayed as specially chosen people

Key Terms

  • Word of the Day: numen/numina

Takeaway Questions

  • What are the three major takeaways from today’s lecture?

  • What surprised you or challenged your understanding?

  • What aspects still confuse you?