1. Prayer Prayer was one means by which to establish a relationship with the gods. Prayer was most often linked to a sacrifice or promise of a sacrifice as well.

2. Roman prayers needed to have certain elements in them because of the complicated nature of Roman religion itself. As there were so many gods and spirits that could be asked to help, it was extremely important to get the correct one.

3. Powerful Gods’ names were never spoken because of the harm that they could cause to the community. They were “nefandi” or “unmentionable. Gods of the underworld may be referred to as “The Great Name” or “The Holy Name that is not uttered”. The saying “Talk of the devil and he will appear” comes from this. Often towns would not mention aloud the name of the god or deity that they felt protected the town as they were afraid that other people or towns would entice them away.

4. Poem to Dianna Dianna saves and protects us, chaste girls and boys; and so, chaste boys and girls, let us sing to Dianna. You are Latona’s daughter, your father was Jupiter Almighty, and your mother gave birth to you by the olive tree on Delos, that you might rule the mountain tops and the woods shining green and the hidden valleys and the sounding streams. Mothers in childbirth pray to you as Juno Lucina; others call you mighty Trivia and Moon with another’s light. By your monthly courses, goddess, you measure the year’s path, filling with goodly produce the farmer’s country dwelling. By whatever name you wish may you be blessed, and may you, with good help as of old, preserve Romulus’s people. (Catullus) What is included in this prayer/poem to ensure the correct God will be listening?

5. The General Plan of a Prayer The following elements were important but not all of them were necessarily included in every prayer and the order may also change. 1. Care was taken to address the right divinity. This was done by using the right name which might indicate the particular area of influence required. It might also include reference to any other being that might be interested in the matter being requested. 2. Use of further identification – reference to parents, children, birth place, where worshiped, a description of past activities, some kind of address and sometimes even some flattery. Calling on the god was known as “invoking” the god.

6. 3. The actual request – this may have been very specific or it might be something for the public good. 4. The reason for the request – linking the powers of the divinity to be able to grant the request and the fact that the divinity may have given similar help in the past. 5. Finally, an offer of a gift – a sacrifice perhaps of something that was once alive, or a gift or publicity of some form such as a poem.

7. Poem to Dianna Dianna saves and protects us, chaste girls and boys; and so, chaste boys and girls, let us sing to Dianna. You are Latona’s daughter, your father was Jupiter Almighty, and your mother gave birth to you by the olive tree on Delos, that you might rule the mountain tops and the woods shining green and the hidden valleys and the sounding streams. Dianna = Artemis Reference to parents and to where she was born. Attach your copy of this poem

8. Mothers in childbirth pray to you as Juno Lucina; others call you mighty Trivia and Moon with another’s light. By your monthly courses, goddess, you measure the year’s path, filling with goodly produce the farmer’s country dwelling. By whatever name you wish may you be blessed, and may you, with good help as of old, preserve Romulus’s people. (Catullus) Just to be on the safe side. To do with the goddess of cross-roads in the underworld – Hecate Goddess of the Moon somehow has merged with Juno Lucina???

9. The Averting of Evil In this poem Apollo and Dianna are asked to divert certain ills from Rome on to more distant peoples. Sing of Diana, tender Maidens, And sing, boys, of long-haired Apollo and of Latona, with whom Jupiter fell so deeply in love. Doesn’t bother with other names as he trusts he has the right ones the first time, but parents are mentioned. Tell, maidens, how she loves the streams, The cool and leafy glades of Mt Algidus, the dark forests of Erymanthus and the green wood of Cragus. As the huntress godess these are places that she loves. Maiden reference as Diana is a virgin goddess.

10. Sing in your turn, boys, a song in praise Of Tempe, and of Delos where Apollo was born, of the quiver slung upon his shoulder, and of the lyre his brother made him. Mercury Identified as a hunting god and as a lover of music. The tears of war, and wretched hunger, and plague Will he drive away from the people and their Caesar to the tribes of Persia and Britain, if your prayer moves him to do so. Augustus Beyond the frontiers of the Roman Empire – the edge of the known world

11. Release from Torment Propertius prays to Bacchus, god of wine, to bring him rest from the torments of love. Propertius trying to drown his sorrows in wine. Now, o Bacchus, humbly I pray at your altar: grant me peace, father, and a fair voyage. You have the power to calm Venus’ insolent rage; your wine is a remedy for all anxieties. Venus has control over him because of his love for the woman he has lost. Through you lovers come together and are parted: o, Bacchus, wash my heart free from this stain. You too are not untouched by love: witness Ariadne amongst the stars, born to heaven by your lynxes. Dionysus’ lover – He fell in love with a mortal and turned her into a star so that he could always see her

12. My trouble, fostered in my bones by long-familiar fires, will be cured only by death or by your wine. For a sober night ever tortures lovers who lie apart, their minds filled now with hope and now with fear. If, o Bacchus, despite my fevered brow, your gifts draw sleep into my bones, I myself shall plant vines in rows upon the hillside and keep watch that no wild beast may uproot them. So long as my vats are a-foam with the dark must and fresh grapes stain the treader’s feet I shall live out my life through you and your horns, Bacchus, and be known as the poet of your power…. These things shall I set down for prosperity in lofty strain like the voice that thunders from Pindar’s mouth: All I ask is that you release me from my irksome bondage and pour sleep upon my troubled brain. Vows not an animal sacrifice if Bacchus answers his prayer but to plant vines and produce plenty of wine. Promises to write about Bacchus’ gifts in a poem like the Greek poet Pindar.

13. Attach “The Right God” evidence by Aulus Gellius The Greeks believed Neptune (Poseidon) was responsible for earthquakes but the Romans weren’t sure so didn’t want to offend. Attach “Reward for Worship” evidence by Virgil Dido was the Queen of Carthage. Iarbus was a powerful chief in Africa whom Dido purchased land to build her city. In response to his generosity Iarbus expected Dido would marry him. She turned him down saying she had been so in love with her dead husband that she would never marry again. She then later sees herself as married to Aeneas. Iarbus is angered by this.

14. Attach your copy of this poem The Spring of Bandusia (Horace: Odes III 13) O spring Bandusia, your waters clear as crystal deserve sweet wine and a garland of flowers; but tomorrow I shall give you a kid whose young horns, swelling on it’s brow, speak of love and battles to come – in vain! For with his red blood this youngster from the frisky flock will dye your icy streams. The burning Dog-star’s scorching heat cannot touch you; your friendly chill, welcome to oxen weary from the plough and to the wandering herd, never fails. I will set you among the famous fountains and tell of the oak-tree which overhangs the hollow rocks, from which your babbling waters fall in cascade. Label what you can and also read notes on this poem from page 24 of your text book to label further.

15. Now have a go at writing a Roman prayer yourself. Choose something to ask for and include several of the required elements in your prayer. Go back to the info about the gods that you summarised from the text book. Publish your Poem to be displayed on the classroom wall. Be prepared to share your poem with the class and to explain the elements of Roman prayer that are included in it.