Roman Gods and Roman Goddesses

The Romans prayed to hundreds of different gods The Romans prayed to hundreds of different gods. Everyone made sacrifices in the temple or their home to keep the gods happy. Each god looked after one aspect of people’s lives. Other gods important in the home were the family spirits (lares) and store cupboard spirits (penates). The Lararium altar is the sacred place of the home where offerings and prayers were made to the gods everyday. The main Lararium altar was usually in the Atrium -front reception room, near the front door or located near the hearth.

All the designs have snakes on them as snakes were considered to be guardian spirits of the family.

Jupiter Jupiter 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. Thursday is his day.

Juno She was the wife of Jupiter, Queen of the Gods and the goddess of women. Her symbols were a pomegranate and a peacock.

Mars He was the God of War. The strongest and most fearsome God, except for Jupiter. Tuesday is his day.

Venus Venus was the Goddess of love and beauty. Friday is her day.

Minerva She was the Goddess of wisdom, learning, art, crafts and industry. Her symbol was an owl.

Neptune Neptune was the powerful god of the sea. His symbol was the trident.

Ceres She was the Goddess of the harvest, always shown carrying a bundle of grain. The word cereal comes from her name.

Vulcan Vulcan was the blacksmith of the gods and a god of the underworld. If he stoked his furnace too hard volcanoes might erupt. He was the god of blacksmiths and volcanoes.

Diana Diana was the Goddess of hunting and the moon.

Mercury Mercury was the messenger of the Gods, the wings on his helmet and sandals allowed him to travel very quickly to wherever a god might send him. He was the God of travellers and tradesmen.

Vesta Vesta was the goddess of the hearth and home and was very important to the Romans. In her temple a flame was always kept burning as in “the hearth of Rome”

Apollo Apollo was the god of music, healing, light and truth. He moved the sun across the sky. Sunday is his day.

Cupid Cupid is the god of love.

Pluto Pluto was the god of the dead. Cerberus was his dog to guard the underworld

Saturn Saturn was god of agriculture and harvest time. He held a sickle in his left hand and a bundle of wheat in his right. Saturday was his day.