The Origin of Roman Religion

1. The Origin of Roman Religion

2. What was the origin of Roman religion? Most of the Roman gods and goddesses were a blend of several religious influences. Before Rome became a big city, the area around it, called Latium, was settled by villagers (called Latins) who believed in many gods and spirits who were assimilated into the Roman Religion. The gods of the Etruscans who lived in what is modern day Tuscany also contributed to the Roman family of gods. Many were also introduced via the Greek colonies of southern Italy. In many cases the Romans found that there was a Latin and Greek god for one and the same thing. They tended to take two and make them one: Vulcan was the old Latin god of fire, but the Greeks had a god called Hephaistos who was very similar but portrayed as a blacksmith; the Romans just mixed the two together and made them one. However, statues of Vulcan usually show him as a blacksmith.

3. What was the Pantheon? The Romans had hundreds of different gods. This entire collection of all their gods was called the Pantheon. The temple in Rome called ‘The Pantheon’ was dedicated to all the major gods.

4. Juppiter Juno He was the master of the gods and the main god of the Romans. In his hand he held thunderbolts which he could hurl from the sky. She was Juppiter’s wife, the goddess of women, marriage and fertility. Her symbols were a peacock and pomegranate Mars Venus He was the god of war, the strongest and most fearsome god, except for Juppiter She was the goddess of love and beauty

5. Neptune Minerva She was the goddess of wisdom, learning, art crafts and industry. Her symbol was the owl. He was the powerful god of the sea. His symbol was the trident Vulcan Ceres He was the blacksmith of the gods And a god of the underworld. If he stoked his furnace too hard, volcanoes might erupt. He is also the god of fire. She was the goddess of the harvest, always depicted carrying a bundle of grain

6. Diana She was the goddess of hunting and a goddess of the moon. Bacchus He was the god of wine and partying. Naturally, he was one of Rome’s most popular gods Mercury He was the messenger of the gods. The wings on his helmet and sandals allowed him to travel very quickly. He was the god of travellers and tradesmen

7. Isis Apollo She was the Egyptian goddess of the earth. Her worship entailed elaborate and exotic rituals He was a Greek god and the Romans adopted him without changing his name. Although often associated with sun, Apollo was really the god of healing, prophecy (oracles) the arts - especially music - and archery. Pan He was the Greek god of the mountains and by extension of nature, half goat and half man. He is always depicted carrying pipes.