ROMAN MYTHOLOGY

The Romans had many gods and goddesses. Most of these were the same ones that the ancient Greeks worshipped, except that they had different names. - The original religion of early Rome was so modified by the addition of numerous and conflicting beliefs in later times, and by the assimilation of a vast amount of Greek mythology, that it cannot be reconstructed precisely.

MAJOR GODS OF ROME

Apollo (Greek=Apollo)

Apollo is the son of Jupiter and Leto, and the twin brother of Diana. He is the god of music, playing a golden lyre. The Archer, far shooting with a silver bow. The god of healing who taught man medicine. The god of light. The god of truth, who cannot speak a lie. One of Apollo's more important daily tasks is to harness his chariot with four horses and drive the Sun across the sky. He is famous for his oracle at Delphi.

Ceres (Greek=Demeter)

Corn Goddess. Eternal Mother. The Sorrowing Mother. Grain Mother. Goddess of agriculture, grain, crops, initiation, civilization, lawgiver and the love a mother bears for her child. Protectress of women, motherhood, marriage. Daughter of Saturn and Ops.

Diana (Greek=Artemis)

Fertility Goddess. Moon Goddess. Huntress Goddess. Triple Goddess- Lunar Virgin, Mother of Creatures, the Huntress or Destroyer. Goddess of nature, fertility, childbirth, wildwood, moon, forests, animals, mountains, woods, and women. Goddess of the hunt. In Roman art Diana usually appears as a huntress with bow and arrow, along with a hunting dog or a stag. Both a virgin goddess and an earth goddess, she was identified with the Greek Artemis. She is praised for her strength, athletic grace, beauty and her hunting skills. With two other deities she made up a trinity: Egeria the water nymph (her servant), and Virbius (the woodland god).

Juno (Greek=Hera)

Queen of the gods. Jupiter’s wife and sister, sister to Neptune and Pluto, daughter of Saturn, mother of Mars, and Vulcan. Protectress of the Roman state. She was the guardian of the Empire's finances and considered the Matron Goddess of all Rome. The Matronalia, her major festival is in March. The month of June is named after her. Jupiter (Greek=Zeus)

Ruler of the gods. Jupiter is the god of Sky, Lightning and Thunder. He is the son of Saturn and brother of Neptune, Pluto and Juno, who is also his wife. His attribute is the lightning bolt and his symbol the eagle, who is also his messenger. He was also considered the Patron god of Rome, and his temple was the official place of state business and sacrifices.

Mars (Greek=Ares)

God of war, spring, growth in nature, agriculture, terror, anger, revenge, courage and fertility. Protector of cattle. The son of Jupiter and Juno, he was the god of war. Mars was regarded as the father of the Roman people because he was the father of Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome, and husband to Bellona. He was the most prominent of the military gods that were worshipped by the Roman legions. The martial Romans considered him second in importance only to Jupiter. His festivals were held in March (named for him) and October.

Mercury (Greek=Hermes)

God of Trade, Profit, Merchants and Travellers. Merchants sprinkled their heads and their merchandise with water from his well for luck. The symbols of Mercury are the caduceus (a staff with two intertwined snakes) and a purse (a symbol of his connection with commerce).

Minerva (Greek=Athena)

From the Etruscan Menrva. Goddess of Wisdom, Learning, the Arts, Sciences, Medicine, Dyeing, Trade, and of War. Daughter of Jupiter, protectress of commerce and education.

Neptune (Greek=Poseidon)

God of the Sea and brother of Jupiter, Pluto and Juno. The patron of Horses Neptune Equester. Neptunalia was celebrated in July. The trident is Neptune's attribute.

Venus (Greek=Aphrodite)

Originally a Goddess of Gardens and Vineyards, Venus became the major deity of love and beauty after the influx of Greek deities.

Vesta (Greek=Hestia)

Goddess of the Fire (both sacred and domestic) the Hearth and Home. Daughter of Saturn and Ops. Her sacred animal was the ass. Patroness of bakers.

Vulcan (Greek=Hephaestus) God of Fire, Forge, Blacksmiths and Craftsmanship. His forge is located beneath Mount Etna. It is here that he, together with his helpers, forges weapons for Gods and heroes. Volcanalia, observed in August.