1. Who did the Romans worship?
The Romans believed in many gods and goddesses.
Some of our months are named after Roman gods.
Roman families had their own god or goddess. They had a special place in the house where they placed wine or presents for their god.
The Romans built temples to their gods and goddesses.

2. Jupiter – King of the gods
Jupiter: god of the sky, he was the most important god.
Thursday is his special day.
His weapon was the Thunderbolt (thunder and lightning). All other gods were terrified of him, although he was a little scared of his wife Juno!

3. Juno – goddess of women
Juno was the wife of Jupiter and so queen of the gods. She was the goddess of women and marriage.
The month June was named after her.

4. Mars – god of war Mars was the god of war.
He was the son of Jupiter and Juno.
The month March was named after him.

5. Minerva – goddess of wisdom
Minerva was the goddess of wisdom and arts and crafts.
She had a strange birth. One day, Jupiter had a bad headache. Nothing would cure it. Eventually Vulcan, the blacksmith, split open Jupiter's head. Out jumped Minerva in armour with shield and spear! Jupiter felt much better afterwards.

6. Neptune – god of sea
Neptune was the god of the sea. He carried a trident, which had three prongs.
Neptune was also the god of earthquakes. He was called the
Earth-shaker!

7. Diana – goddess of the moon and hunting
Diana was the goddess of the moon. Her twin brother Apollo was the god of the sun.
Diana carried a bow and arrows. She was the goddess of hunting.
Monday is her special day.

8. Mercury – messenger of the gods
Mercury was the god of travellers. He had a winged hat and sandals, so he could fly.
He carried a staff with two snakes winding round it.
He was also the god of thieves!
Wednesday is his special day.

9. Venus – goddess of love and beauty
                                                
Venus was the goddesses of love.
She was born in the sea and first came to shore at Cyprus, floating on a scallop shell.
Friday is her special day.

10. Apollo – god of the sun Apollo was the god of the sun.
Each day he drove his chariot of fiery horses across the sky to give light to the world.
He was also the god of healing, so sick people prayed to him.
Sunday is his special day.

11. Cupid – god of love Cupid was the mischievous little god of love.
His weapon was a bow, and anyone hit by one of his arrows fell madly in love.

12. Did the Celts worship the Roman gods?
The Celts also believed in many god and goddesses.
They held religious ceremonies in the forests.
Many Celtic and Roman gods were very similar.