Roman Gods Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the Roman religious ideology?
Polytheistic.
A god for almost every aspect of life.
What is the Capitoline Triad?
The 3 most important gods:
Jupiter
Juno
Minerva
What is the Roman Pantheon?
A temple dedicated to the 12 core deities.
These 12 made up the council of the pantheon.
Who is Jupiter?
King of the gods.
Symbols: eagles, lightning.
Often on a throne, eagles are his messengers, husband to Juno, protector of Rome, had many children with mortal women.
Who is Juno?
Queen of the Gods, Goddess of Marriage & Family.
Symbol: peacock.
Wife/Sister of Jupiter, protector of Roman women, known to get revenge for Jupiter’s many lovers & mortal children.
Who is Minerva?
Goddess of Wisdom and Arts, Warfare and Strategy.
Symbols: owl, olive tree, helmet/shield.
Daughter of Jupiter (born from his head), usually appears in full battle gear.
Who is Neptune?
God of the Sea, Earthquakes and Horses.
Symbols: trident, horses, dolphin.
Brother of Jupiter and Pluto, storms at sea = Neptune’s displeasure or anger, used his trident to generate earthquakes.
Who is Pluto?
God of the Underworld.
Symbols: Cerberus, pomegranate, helmet of invisibility.
Judge of the dead, brother of Jupiter and Neptune, owned all of the gold and silver in the ground.
Who is Vesta?
Goddess of Home.
Symbols: fireplace, ass.
Sister of Jupiter, considered a virgin (Vestal Virgin), stern woman, protector of the Roman family/race.
Who is Venus?
Goddess of Love & Fertility.
Symbols: dove, swan, roses.
Not a direct member of the family of the gods (was born from sea foam), married to Vulcan but had affairs with Mars, mother of Aeneas, embodiment of sexuality and female charm.
Who is Mars?
God of War.
Symbols: dog, wild boar, vulture.
Son of Jupiter and Juno, lover of Venus, depicted in full armour, father of Romulus & Remus, month of March = new military campaigns (this is named after Mars).
Who is Vulcan?
God of Fire & Blacksmiths.
Symbols: hammer, quail, fire.
Son of Jupiter and Juno, brother of Mars, forged the best armour and weapons, made Jupiter’s thunderbolts for him.
Who is Mercury?
Messenger God, God of Money.
Symbols: crane, winged helmet, sandals, caduceus (his staff).
Son of Jupiter from an extramarital affair, passed messages between gods and from gods to mortals, most popular and most worshipped god (many household shrines in Pompeii).
Who is Diana?
Goddess of the Hunt, Moon and Childbirth.
Symbols: moon, silver bow & arrows, deer.
Daughter of Jupiter from an extramarital affair, twin sister of Apollo, ruler of the countryside, women would pray to her to become pregnant or for easy delivery of a child, protector of lower-class citizens and slaves.
Who is Apollo?
God of Prophecy, Light and Music.
Symbols: lyre (harp-like instrument), sun, mice, laurel tree.
Twin brother of Diana and son of Jupiter, associated with justice and morality.
