1

ROMAN GODS

By Alyson Tsui

2

The Gods of Rome

The Rome thought of their gods as super-humans who made friends and quarrelled just like humans, but never died. They borrowed this ides from the Greeks and they took over some of the Greek gods. In the end they came to see the chief Roman gods and goddesses as the same as the Greek ones who lived on Mount Olympus and controlled all that went on in the world. They aimed to please them so that Rome and the Empire would do well and prosper.

3

Jupiter, king of the gods (Greek name: Zeus). Also the god of the sky and the weather

4

Mars, god of war (Greek name: Ares).

5

Neptune, god of the sea (Greek name: Poseldon). He also caused earthquakes by banging his trident.

6

7

Vulcan, god of metalworking (Greek name: Hephaistos). The Romans believed he made thunderbolts for Jupiter under Mount Etna in Sicily. Etna sometimes erupts like Vesuvius.

8

Mercury, god of communications (Greek name: Hermes). The messenger of the gods who looked after travellers, merchants and people engaged in trade and business. Businesspeople wanted him on their side so that they would earn large profits.

9

Juno, queen of the gods (Greek name: Hera). One special job was to look after women in childbirth.

10

Minerva, goddess of science and crafts (Greek name: Athene).

11

Diana, goddess of the moon and hunting (Greek name: Artemis)

12

Ceres, goddess of agriculture (Greek name: Demeter). Started as a goddess of corn and then became goddess of agriculture in general.

13

Venus, goddess of love (Greek name: Aphrodite).

14

Vesta, goddess of fire (Greek name: Hestia). There was a temple to Vesta in the centre of Rome with a sacred fleme which stood for the life of the city.