1. Roman Mythology

2. What deities did the Romans adopt from the Etruscans?
Historical Overview
Romans were influenced by the Greeks and Etruscans and adopted many of their Gods and gave them Roman names
What deities did the Romans adopt from the Etruscans?
Jupiter, Juno & Minerva

3. Jupiter King of the Gods/Ruler of the Skies Greek name is Zeus
Married to Juno
Symbols: Eagle, Shield, Thunderbolt and Oak Tree

4. Neptune God of the Sea Second most powerful God on Mt.Olympus
Greek name is Poseidon
Symbols: Trident, Horse and Bull

5. Pluto God the under world and wealth Greek name is Hades
Symbols: Helmet, Metals, Jewels

6. Juno Queen of the Gods Goddess of Heaven, Marriage and Childbirth
Greek name is Hera
Married to Jupiter
Symbols: Peacock and Cow

7. Vesta Goddess of the Hearth. Protector of the home and the family
Greek name is Hestia
Never married
Symbol: fire

8. Mars God of War Greek name is Ares
Bloody, fiery character – not well liked
Symbols: Vulture, Dog

9. Minerva Goddess of Wisdom, War, Arts and Crafts and the City
Zeus’s favorite child
Greek name is Athena
Never married
Symbols: Owl, Shield and Olive Branch

10. Venus Goddess of Love and Beauty Greek name is Aphrodite
Married to Vulcan
Symbols: Dove, Sparrow, Swan and Myrtle

11. Mercury God of Motion, Sleep and Dreams, Commerce and Travelers
Graceful, Clever and Quick
Greek name is Hermes
Symbols: Wand, Winged Sandals and Winged Helmet

12. Diana Goddess of the Hunt, the Moon and Children Greek name is Artemis
Sister of Apollo
Symbols: Stag, Moon and Cypress

13. Vulcan God of the Forge Greek name is Hephaestus Married to Venus
Symbols: Fire and Blacksmith’s Hammer

14. “Native” Roman Religion
Most early Romans were farmers
Religion is based on agriculture & the home
They did not understand science, instead they believed in forces or spirits
These Gods did not have human forms or minds
Numen

15. Early Roman Numen Cardea Goddess over doorways
Dis God of the underworld
Faunus God of fields and shepherds
Janus Two-faced God
Bellona Goddess of righteous war
Lares God of the household- represented ancestors who protected the family
Liber God of fertility
Saturn God of agriculture
Vesta Goddess of home and hearth

16. Conclusion Not based on any central belief
Mix off fragmented rituals, superstitions, and traditions
Collected from a number of sources.
Religious faith was not a spiritual experience
A contract between mankind and the forces which were believed to control people’s existence and well-being

17. Conclusion The result was a state cult
Outlasts the republic
Morphs into Emperor worship
Other result was a familial cult
head of the family supervised the domestic rituals and prayers in the same way as the elected representatives of the people performed the public ceremonials.