1. What they imagined
2. Mount Olympus
What we see today

2. Part 1: Ye Old Gods The Roman Religion: AKA –
Wait…why are we worshipping them again?

3. Basic Info:
- The Roman religion was a mix of borrowed traditions from the Etruscans and Greeks.
1. Various early sources
2. Etruscans
2. Greeks
(Religious Practices)
(Gods and Myths)
3. Latins
(i.e. Romans)

4. Differences between the Romans and Greek gods
1. The Romans possessed some uniquely Italian and Etruscan gods
Janus (Two-faced god)
Manes, Lares, Pentantes
(Ancestor spirits and household gods)
2. Roman gods were nicer and more honorable than Greek gods
- Baucis and Philemon Myth
- Saturn

5. Roman myths borrowed heavily from Greek myths
Thus…As a result
Roman myths borrowed heavily from Greek myths
For example:
The works of Homer, a legendary Greek poet, were a huge influence.
The Iliad- Describes Achilles’ wrath during the mythic Trojan War.
-Mostly about honor and war
The Odyssey: Describes Ulysses’ attempt to return home and retake his kingdom after the Trojan War.
Mostly about being a good guest and host.
(seriously, half the book is eating and partying)

6. THE AENEID Fanfiction Done Right
Roman authors loved Greek myths sooo much that they wrote their own…
Case in point:
THE AENEID
Tells the story of Aeneas, son of Venus, and
his escape from the destruction of Troy
to the settlement of refugees in Latium, Italy.
Mostly a propaganda piece
It plays up the rule of the Augustus (the first emperor).
Gives justification for Roman conquests
Pushes for a return to the old religion practices

7. The Problem: Magister Editorial
The problem of adopting the Greek gods is that…
THEY WERE AWEFUL, UNCARING, PETTY, BORDED, LECHEROUS, VINDICTIVE, ARROGANT, OBSESSED, NARISSISTIC, immortal anthropomorphic monsters.
Roman writers occasionally wrote or recorded stories that portray the gods in a better light than the Greeks but…
…the worship of such frightening gods eventually became unappealing for some Romans and farcical superstitions for the educated.

8. A Unique Roman Practice
Final Note:
A Unique Roman Practice
The Vestal Virgins
- These 4-6 women were given privileges not found elsewhere in this historical context.
Girls admitted to the college would:
take a vow of celibacy under the pain of death
tend the sacred fire of Vesta
In return…
they could leave at the age of 30
wield great respect in all aspects of Roman life
front row seats at the Colosseum