At the end of the 1st millennium, many religions existed in Rome
Cult of Isis
Mithraism
Roman Deities
Paganism
1. The One God was understood as remote from human concerns. The source of all, referred to as Zeus or
Jupiter, understood as basically unknowable, may be personal or impersonal.
2. Great Gods = the Olympians: Poseidon (Neptune), Hera (Juno), Aphrodite (Venus), Artemis (Diana), Hades
(Pluto), Apollo, Hermes (Mercury), Dionysius (Bacchus), Hestia (Vesta), Ares (Mars), Athena, Demeter,
3. Daimonia, etc = lesser local deities, household gods (Pantry gods=Penates; protector gods=Lares, guardian
deity= genius or numen, thought to reside in the head of the household.)
4. Demigods, Immortals, etc. = mortals who had been divinized (such as emperors), offspring of mortals and gods
(Heracles, Alexander the Great, miracle workers, great athletes and teachers (aka Mr. Kriegel), philosophers, etc.,
thought to have been or become divine)
• Cult of Isis
• From Egyptian mythology
• Goddess of fertility & motherhood
• Popular branch of Roman religions
The image above with outstretched wings, is a representation
of her role of watching over the dead.
Cult of Isis
The Invocation of Isis
• Mithraism
• Ancient Persian god of light & wisdom
• Later god of the sun
• Similar to Christianity
– Communion, baptism, holy water, etc.
MITHRAISM
Mithras holding cosmic sphere and rotating zodiac
LOOK TO THE STARS
Mithraeum in Capua, Italy
• Roman Deities
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.
Here are some of the main gods and goddesses in Roman mythology:
Jupiter: Jupiter was the king of the gods. He threw down thunderbolts to earth when he was angry. Because of this, it's not surprising the largest planet in the
solar system was named after him.
Juno: Juno was the wife of Jupiter, therefore, the queen of the gods. In some Roman stories, Juno seemed unpleasant. She was often bad tempered and was
jealous of the other goddesses.
Mercury: Mercury was the messenger of the gods. He wore winged sandals on his feet and could fly through the air extremely fast.
Venus: Venus was the goddess of beauty
Apollo: Apollo was the god of the sun. He is usually pictured flying across the sky in a golden chariot drawn by white horses.
Diana: Diana was the goddess of the hunt and the protector of wild animals. She always carried a bow and a quiver full of arrows. She was also the goddess of
the moon. She was the twin brother of Apollo.
Minerva: Minerva was the goddess of wisdom. She was also goddess of the arts and the protector of towns.
Neptune: Neptune was the god of the seas. He always carried a trident with him.
Vulcan: Vulcan was the god of fire. He was also the blacksmith of the gods. His forge was deep under ground.
Pluto: Pluto was the ruler of the underworld. Everyone who died went to Pluto's kingdom.
Vesta: Vesta was the goddess of the hearth. The hearth was a very important part of the home, therefore she was really the goddess of the home. The vestal
virgins would keep fires burning as a way of worshipping Vesta.
Saturn: Saturn was the god of agriculture and the harvest. Saturday was named after this god.
• PAGANISM – associated w/ worship of nature
• Many forms
• Polytheism – belief in many gods
• Pantheism – belief that all of reality is divine
• Animism – belief that natural features have divine power
• Basic religious beliefs
• Monotheism
• Messiah
• Covenant
• Antiochus IV (2nd Century B.C.)
• Forced Hellenistic forms on Jews
• Jewish Temple overthrown
• Jews revolt & reclaim
– Hanukkah!
• Antiochus IV (2nd Century B.C.)
• Forced Hellenistic forms on Jews
• Jewish Temple overthrown
• Jews revolt & reclaim
– Hanukkah!
• Kingdom lasts until 63 B.C.
• Diaspora
Sects of Jews
• Sadducees
• Pharisees
• Essenes
• Zealots
These are you groups if
you are confused!
Christianity Overcomes
• Romans Adopt Christianity
• Persecution and Martyrs
• Diocletian, Nero, Trajan
• Ruthless attempts to put religion down
Christianity Overcomes
• 312 AD, Constantine saw a vision
• Issues Edict of Milan (313 AD)
• Religious groups free to do as they please
• Theodosius decrees Christianity
OFFICIAL RELIGION (392 AD)
End of Roman Empire
• Pax Romana
• Diaspora
• Christianity made no compromises with Paganism
• Martyrs
• For Lowly Classes
• Greed, Deceit, Corruption