ROMAN GODS

ROMAN RELIGION Roman religion is based on the Pantheon – 12 Gods and Goddesses that, together, rule the earth and everything associated with it. Roman religion is based on the Pantheon – 12 Gods and Goddesses that, together, rule the earth and everything associated with it. These gods are: Jupiter, Juno, Minerva, Vesta, Ceres, Diana, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Volcan, and Apollo. These gods are: Jupiter, Juno, Minerva, Vesta, Ceres, Diana, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Volcan, and Apollo.

JUPITER Jupiter means Father Jove (Father in Latin is "pater"). Jupiter means Father Jove (Father in Latin is "pater"). Jupiter was king of the Gods. His weapon was the Thunderbolt Jupiter was king of the Gods. His weapon was the Thunderbolt All other gods were terrified of him, although he was a little scared of his wife Juno All other gods were terrified of him, although he was a little scared of his wife Juno

Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto were the three sons of Saturn. They divided up the world between themselves. Jupiter took the air, Neptune had the sea and Pluto ruled under the earth, the home of the Dead. Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto were the three sons of Saturn. They divided up the world between themselves. Jupiter took the air, Neptune had the sea and Pluto ruled under the earth, the home of the Dead.

JUNO Juno was the wife of Jupiter and so queen of the gods. She was the goddess of women and marriage. Juno was the wife of Jupiter and so queen of the gods. She was the goddess of women and marriage. The Romans believed that every man had a spirit that looked after him all his life. This was called his genius. Some people believed each man had both a good genius and a bad genius. Women didn't have a genius, they had a juno instead. The Romans believed that every man had a spirit that looked after him all his life. This was called his genius. Some people believed each man had both a good genius and a bad genius. Women didn't have a genius, they had a juno instead.

MINERVA Minerva was the goddess of wisdom. Her symbol was the owl. Minerva was the goddess of wisdom. Her symbol was the owl. Minerva was the goddess of arts and crafts. She was particularly good at weaving. Minerva was the goddess of arts and crafts. She was particularly good at weaving.

NEPTUNE Neptune was the god of the sea. He carried a trident, which had three prongs. He rode a dolphin or a horse. Neptune was the god of the sea. He carried a trident, which had three prongs. He rode a dolphin or a horse. Neptune was also the god of earthquakes. He was called the Earth-shaker! Neptune was also the god of earthquakes. He was called the Earth-shaker!

PLUTO Pluto was the god of the Dead. Pluto was the god of the Dead. When someone died, they travelled down to the Underworld When someone died, they travelled down to the Underworld

APOLLO 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. 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. He was also the god of healing, so sick people prayed to him. He is a son of Jupiter He is a son of Jupiter

DIANA Diana was the goddess of the moon. Her twin brother Apollo was the god of the sun. 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 Diana carried a bow and arrows. She was the goddess of hunting

MARS The Romans were great soldiers and thought Mars, the god of War, was very important. The Romans were great soldiers and thought Mars, the god of War, was very important. They said that he was the father of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. They said that he was the father of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. He is a son of Jupiter He is a son of Jupiter

VENUS She is the goddess of love She is the goddess of love Venus was born in the sea and first came to shore at Cyprus, floating on a scallop shell. Venus was born in the sea and first came to shore at Cyprus, floating on a scallop shell. She is the mother of Cupid. She is the mother of Cupid.

MERCURY He was the messenger of the Gods He was the 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. 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.

CERES Ceres was the Earth goddess and goddess of corn. Ceres was the Earth goddess and goddess of corn. Her daughter was Proserpine. Her daughter was Proserpine.

VOLCAN Vulcan was the smith of the gods, and made Jupiter's thunderbolts. His smithy was in the volcano Etna, in Sicily, where you can see fire from his forge. Vulcan was the smith of the gods, and made Jupiter's thunderbolts. His smithy was in the volcano Etna, in Sicily, where you can see fire from his forge.

BACCHUS Bacchus was the god of wine. He was accompanied by Maenads, or wild dancing women. Bacchus was the god of wine. He was accompanied by Maenads, or wild dancing women. Bacchus was also the god of the theatre, since the first plays in Greece were performed in his honour Bacchus was also the god of the theatre, since the first plays in Greece were performed in his honour

SATURN Saturn was god of Time and his weapon was a scythe. He ruled the gods before Jupiter. He is called Old Father Time. Saturn was god of Time and his weapon was a scythe. He ruled the gods before Jupiter. He is called Old Father Time. Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto were his children. They represent Air, Water and Death, the three things that Time cannot kill. Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto were his children. They represent Air, Water and Death, the three things that Time cannot kill.

THE DII FAMILIARIS There was also a private religious worship in Rome. In this cult, the Lar Familiaris (guardian spirit - Genius - of the family), the Lares Loci (guardian spirits of the place where the house is built), the Genius of the paterfamilias (House- Father), the Dii Penates (patron gods of the storeroom), the Dii Manes (spirits of the deceased) and a multitude of other domestic deities are daily worshipped by the members of the family. There was also a private religious worship in Rome. In this cult, the Lar Familiaris (guardian spirit - Genius - of the family), the Lares Loci (guardian spirits of the place where the house is built), the Genius of the paterfamilias (House- Father), the Dii Penates (patron gods of the storeroom), the Dii Manes (spirits of the deceased) and a multitude of other domestic deities are daily worshipped by the members of the family.