Roman Religion 1
Key Content: State gods and goddesses:
Jupiter, Neptune, Mercury, Mars, Pluto (Hades), Apollo, Juno, Venus, Minerva, Diana, Vesta and
Ceres.
Their responsibilities and symbols and how they are typically represented in
Roman art.
Key Concept
Roman society was dominated by its religion, closely linked to the state/government & everyday life.
Key Words
The Latin religio means ‘that which binds us together’. Religion bound together all areas of Roman
life.
Religion gave structure to Daily life:
1. Family Life
2. Rites of Passage
3. Festivals
Birth, coming of age, marriage & death
Happened throughout the year
Religion differed to modern religion in three ways:
No scripture or moral code
Afterlife was no paradise
No desire to convert others
Religion was about following the right rituals & winning the gods
favour to get them on your side. The romans used laws like the 12
tables as behavioural codes or philosophies like the Stoics or
Epicureans.
The souls of the dead existed in the gloomy shade of the Underworld
ruled by Pluto, pale shadows of their former selves. Those that led
wicked lives lived in endless torment like Sisyphus and Tantalus,
hero’s lived in the Elysian fields. It was the present day life that
mattered.
Romans had a tolerant attitude to other religions (but not always).
Believing many worshipped the same gods but under a different
name Often native gods were merged with Roman gods such as Sulis
Minerva Br/Roman goddess of healing. Judaism & Christianity
clashed with Roman Religion because they insisted on their one god.
Romans expected everyone in the Empire to worship their gods (&
others if they wished) for fear of angering them.
The origins of the Gods
The earliest gods were those linked to farming and warfare. In Latin the verb colo or cult can mean
worship or farming. Roman religion is polytheistic meaning many gods, each responsible for a
specific area of life. They were present everywhere in nature; woods, groves, springs & rivers. For
the Romans this had its advantages; you knew who to worship in every situation.
Ceres
Jupiter
Mars
Neptune
Apollo for success in a musical contest
For a good harvest
For rain
For victory in war
For a safe sea voyage
Romans would feel that they had a close relationship with a particular god for example farmers with
Ceres, sailors with Neptune.
The gods were anthropomorphic, they took human forms. They had similar physical and mental
characteristics, faults & imperfections. They could be cruel, kind, helpful, vindictive & have
favourites, just like in the Greek tradition, think of how the gods act in, ‘The Odyssey’ (Athena looks
out for Odysseus whereas Poseidon seeks his revenge)
The Romans adopted many of the Etruscan (the settlers that preceded the Romans) religious
practices, some gods; Jupiter, Mars & Minerva, style of temples & the belief of divination or
haruspicy (predicting the future).
They were also heavily influenced by the Greeks. An example of this is the The Sibylline Books, these
according to legend were brought from a Greek, Sibyl (a women with the power to see the future)
by the Roman king Tarquinius. Throughout the history of the empire the books (written in Greek)
were consulted for guidance on how to deal with disasters such as riots or military defeats. This
sometimes led to the building of Greek temples such as Demeter, Greek goddess of the harvest on
the Aventine hill following a famine. The roman fascination with Greek mythology was furthered by
a roman translation of the Odyssey, until Greek & Roman mythology virtually became one of the
same.
The relationship between gods & men
The gods had to be honoured, they ran the world and needed to be treated with reverence and
respect, in return the gods would help them in every aspect of life; health, marriage, work or
warfare. The most effective way to do this was the blood sacrifice – offerings of animal sacrifice.
Religion was at the centre of State/government; politicians & generals would not make a key
decision without consulting the gods. Priests were appointed specifically to ensure Rome had the
gods favour before going to war.
The Olympian family
The most important gods were those linked to the 12 Greek Gods, believed to live in the sky on
mount Olympus, but there were hundreds of others. These gods were immortal, frozen in time,
some younger than others, Jupiter a fatherly figure, in middle age while Apollo was forever a young
man. The family inter-married for example Jupiter married his sister Juno. Each god had a range
different responsibilities & epithets (titles);
Jupiter Pluvius (the rain giver) or Jupiter optimus Maximus (best & greatest)
Juno Regina (queen of gods) or Juno Lucinda (goddess of childbirth)
Temples tended to be dedicated to one version for example the temple on the Capitoline Hill in
Rome was dedicated to them as rulers , Optimus Maximus & Regina.
The six gods
Jupiter – throne, sceptre, thunderbolt
Neptune – trident, dolphin, horses
Vulcan – anvil & hammer
Mars - armour
Apollo
Mercury
Head of the family, also known as Jove, originally
a weather god he is often shown holding a
thunderbolt & sceptre symbol of political power.
The Greek equivalent was Zeus. At the temple of
Jupiter Optimus Maximus (also home to the
Capitoline Triad, the 3 key gods Jupiter, Juno &
Minerva, a central temple in most cities) in Rome
on the Capitoline hill new consuls (leaders of the
senate) performed sacrifice & the senate held
their 1st meeting there each year.
Brother of Jupiter, god of the sea, equivalent to
the Greek Poseidon. Important to sailors &
fishermen, god of earthquakes. Often shown
with a trident used to shake the world. He was
also god of horses (important to those going to
the races). Control of the Mediterranean was
essential to the empire so he was vital for
Roman power.
His Greek equivalent was Hephaestus, god of fire
& metal working. He lived under Mount Etna,
was married to Venus, who was unfaithful with
Mars, when this happened he beat the red hot
metal so hard with anger it caused an eruption.
Vulcanalia was his festival on the 23rd August
when fires were common in the height of
summer.
Father of Romulus the founder of Rome. Romans
believed they were all descended from him.
Warfare was important for the survival of the
Empire, he was second only to Jupiter. He was
also god of agriculture, protector of cattle,fields
& farmers. His Greek equivalent was Ares
God of music, arts, education, health & disease,
prophecy, archery & the sun. Shown as a young
man with short curly hair with a lyre or quiver. In
the middle of July the ludi Apollinares games of
Apollo were held in Rome.
Greek equivalent was Hermes, shown with
winged sandals & helmet. Holds a heralds staff
entwined with 2 snakes. God of travellers,
traders, commercial profit & escorted the dead
souls to the underworld.
The Six Goddesses
Juno - peacock
Ceres – flowers,fruit,grain
Venus – sea shell
Minerva – owl, aegis (shield)
Diana- moon, bows,arrows
Vesta - fire
Queen of the gods. Goddess of marriage &
childbirth. Her festival was the Matronalia held
by women to celebrate motherhood. She was
Juno Moneta (the adviser) goddess of the Roman
mint, protector of Romes finances
Goddess of crops & harvests. Her festival was
the cerealia from 12-19th April. Her daughter
Proserpina was taken by Pluto to the
underworld, she was returned as Jupiter insisted
but because she had eaten in the underworld
she was bound to spend some time there, ceres
fasted at this time each year & nothing grew
creating winter
Goddess of fertility. Greek equivalent Aphrodite.
Often shown with cupid her son by Mars
Goddess of wisdom, art, war, schools &
commerce. Greek equivalent was Athena. Born
from the head of Jupiter. Her owl showed her
wisdom, the aegis, a goat skin shield with the
image of a gorgons head shows she is a goddess
of war. She was important to women &
housework as goddess of weaving & handicrafts.
She was also goddess of school children
Goddess of hunting. Greek goddess Artemis &
twin brother Apollo. Linked to the moon as
Phoebe. Often shown in hunting gear with
animals. Worshiped by the poor & slaves, who
sought sanctuary in her temples.
Goddess of the hearth, vital to the roman family
as a source of light, heat and cooking. Protector
of the state. Her festival was the Vestalia 7-15
June, originally on of the 12 Olympians gave up
her place to Bacchus to tend the sacred fire.
Other important gods
Pluto
Ruler of the underworld, god of the dead.
Sometimes he is refered to as Dis Pater ‘wealthy
father’ his wealth coming from all of the souls he
rules over. He is rarely pictured, but appears as
frowning and gloomy. His symbol is the
pomegranate. (see Ceres above)
Revision Activities
Play a game of guess who pair up with someone else describe one characterstic of a god at a time
how many clues does it take before your partner guesses the correct god – can you beat them?
Play Pictionary, try drawing some of the imagery connected with the different gods, while your
partner tries to guess.
Dingbats come with a code using letters, numbers of images, that represent a word or phrase
Word association, take it turns to say a word connected to the previous one, the first to hesitate or
repeat one loses. You can also challenge the other person to explain the association, but if they do
you lose.
Jeopardy - give your partner an answer they have to come up with a question
Multi-choice - ask them a question give them 3 possible answers
Summ it up in 10 – using only 10 keywords (triggers) produce a summary of this topic
Articulate – describe a keyword without using it or spelling it out
Hangman – pick a keyword, tell them how many letters, give them 10 goes
Anagram – devise ten anagrams to test your partner
Its all Greek to me – give a Greek god, then your partner has to give the Roman equivalent
Question Time – Exam practice
Short answers – all worth 5 marks
1. Describe the Roman concept of the underworld (use the image on p. 63 of in search of..) 5
marks.
2. Look at the statue of the Capitoline Triad (p72 in search of..), describe the three gods and
how they are represented. 5 marks.
3. Why might the roman household & family often be the focus for worship. 5 marks
Essay 30marks
‘The roman tradition of many gods made religion complex and confusing’ how far do you agree
with this statement?
You may choose to mention:
The different gods & their responsibilities
Roman attitude to other religions
The romans relationship with their gods
Anything else you consider relevant