1. Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Roman Mythology
Gods & Goddesses
By: Alicia Hornish
Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

2. Roman Gods and Goddesses
Aurora, Goddess of the Dawn
Mars, God of War
We will discover some of the major mythological characters of ancient Roman society
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3. A quick reminder before we begin…
Rome is the capital of Italy
Italy is a boot shaped country located in southern Europe
The Roman Republic and Roman Empire existed from 753 B.C. to A.D. 500

4. Roman Mythological Family Tree
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5. Major Roman Gods ● Jupiter ● Cupid ● Neptune ● Mercury ● Apollo
● Pluto

6. Jupiter, King of the gods, and god of rain,
thunder, and lightning
● Son of Saturn (whom he overthrew) and Ops
● Depicted with a thunderbolt and
breastplate with a picture of a storm cloud
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7. Cupid, God of Love ● Son of Mars and Venus
● Shot darts into men’s chests to make them fall in love - often his eyes are covered to show blindness for what he did
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8. Neptune, God of the Sea
● Son of Saturn, and brother to Jupiter and Pluto
● Symbol: Pitchfork
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9. god of Trade and Thieves
Mercury, Messenger and
god of Trade and Thieves
● Son of Jupiter and Maia
● Had a wand, twined by snakes and surmounted by wings, that possessed
magical powers over sleeping, waking, and dreams
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10. Apollo, God of Music
● Son of Jupiter and Leto, and the twin brother of Diana
● An important daily task is to harness his chariot with four horses and
drive the Sun across the sky
● Famous for his Oracle at Delphi
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11. Oracle of Delphi
Considered the center, or ‘navel’ of the world; used from about 1400 B.C. to A.D. 381
The Pythia, a role filled by different women, resided there and was the medium through which the god Apollo spoke
Different people came to ask questions about their future
Abolished when Rome became Christian as it conflicted with the beliefs the city was embracing
Present Day Delphi Ruins
Pythia smelling vapors
to make a prediction
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12. Pluto, God of the Underworld
● Son of Saturn and Rhea
● Considered a fierce and unyielding god,
deaf  to prayers and unappeased by sacrifices
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13. Major Roman Goddesses
~ Juno
~ Venus
~ Diana
~ Vesta
~ Minerva

14. Goddess of women and childbirth
Juno, Queen of the Gods,
Goddess of women and childbirth
● Jupiter’s wife and sister, sister to Neptune and Pluto, daughter of Saturn
● Guardian of the Empire's finances, and considered
the Matron Goddess of all Rome
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15. Venus, Goddess of love and beauty
Originally a Goddess of Gardens and Vineyards, Venus became the
major deity of love and beauty after the influx of Greek deities.
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16. Diana, Goddess of the Moon and of the Hunt
● Triple Goddess: Lunar Virgin, Mother of Creatures,
the Huntress or Destroyer
● Praised for her strength, athletic grace, beauty and her hunting skills
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17. Vesta, Goddess of the Fire
● Daughter of Saturn and Ops
● One of the most worshipped of the Roman deities
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18. Minerva, Goddess of Wisdom, Learning, the Arts, Sciences, Medicine,
Dyeing, Trade, and of War
● Daughter of Jupiter
● Protectress of commerce, industry and education
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19. Ancient Roman Religion
● Romans built temples in public and kept shrines in their homes to certain gods and goddesses.
●Especially important goddesses was Vesta; most Roman homes paid homage to her as she protected the hearth.
● Janus, god of beginning and end, was celebrated at the beginning of each year, as well as the start of each month. The month of January is named after him. He is depicted with a face that looks both forward and backward:
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20. Source: http://www.roman-empire.net/tours/rome/temple-saturn.html
Temple of Saturn ruins,
Forum Romanum,
circa 497 B.C.
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21. Greek word meaning ‘To Honor All Gods’
Pantheon
Rome, Italy
Greek word meaning ‘To Honor All Gods’
Built between A.D.
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22. For discussion: Do you see similar religious devotion in our contemporary society? Does the concept of Romans worshipping gods and goddesses seem so foreign?