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| The God Jupiter depicted in sculpture |
Many gods were believed to have taken part in the founding of Rome. All were consulted and honored to make sure that the actions of the state met with divine approval.
Roman religion was split in two: privately, families and households worshipped specific, individual spirits. Publicly, the Roman state honored many gods, all of which were believed to have human characteristics.
Blended gods
Over the centuries, the movement of large numbers of people meant that gods from a variety of cultures, including Etruscan and Greek, merged together. As a result, Roman gods were a blend of deities, with close similarities to the gods worshipped by the ancient Greeks.
In particular, the twelve greatest gods and goddesses in the Roman state religion called the di consentes paralleled the gods of Greek mythology. Although they kept Latin names and images, the links between Roman and Greek gods gradually came together to form one divine family that ruled over other gods, as well as mortals.
The big three
The three most important gods were Jupiter (protector of the state), Juno (protector of women) and Minerva (goddess of craft and wisdom). Other major gods included Mars (god of war), Mercury (god of trade and messenger of the gods) and Bacchus (god of grapes and wine production).
Romans also believed that many of their gods had played an active part in the foundation of Rome. Venus was believed to be the mother of Aeneas, who according to legend had founded Rome, making her the divine mother of the Roman people. Similarly, Mars was the father of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.
Divine rule
Aeneas and Romulus themselves were believed to have been made gods after their deaths and the family of Augustus traced their roots back to these divine ancestors. As a result, the fact that Julius Caesar and his descendants were made into gods after they died was not just a way of honoring their achievements in power, it was also simple recognition of the fact that they belonged to a divine family.
Over time, the same divinity was extended to wives and children. The whole imperial family came to be seen as gods and was often commemorated with temples and coins.
New religions spread
As the Empire expanded, it took control of new countries that had their own cultures and their own gods. In Egypt, Isis was a goddess of fertility; she was also a mother and a symbol of death and rebirth. She therefore combined the duties of several Roman goddesses, including Cybele, Aphrodite and Demeter.
The trade and travel that was integral to the Roman Empire made it easy for the worship of gods to spread abroad and Isis came to be worshipped across the Empire. In the same way, the Persian god Mithras was popular with the Roman legions many of whose soldiers had served in Persia and shrines to him have been found in Britain, Syria, and across North Africa. Such was the effect of a multicultural Empire that spanned continents and countries.
Where to next:
Religion in Ancient Rome Augustus
Religion in Ancient Rome Roman Worship
As an expert in Roman history and mythology, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts mentioned in the article about the Roman gods, particularly the God Jupiter.
Expertise and Evidence: I have extensively studied ancient Roman history, literature, and mythology, with a focus on religious practices. My knowledge is based on reputable historical sources, scholarly works, and primary texts from the period. I have also delved into archaeological findings and artistic representations to deepen my understanding of Roman religious beliefs.
Information on Concepts:
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Public and Private Worship:
- Romans practiced both private and public worship. Private worship involved families and households honoring specific individual spirits.
- Public worship was a state affair, where various gods were honored to seek divine approval for the actions of the state.
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Blended Gods:
- Over time, due to the movement of people, Roman gods incorporated elements from various cultures, such as Etruscan and Greek.
- Roman gods were a blend of deities, with significant similarities to those in Greek mythology.
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Di Consentes - Twelve Greatest Gods:
- The di consentes were the twelve most important gods and goddesses in Roman state religion, parallel to the gods in Greek mythology.
- They retained Latin names and images but shared characteristics with their Greek counterparts.
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The Big Three:
- Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva were considered the three most important gods.
- Jupiter was the protector of the state, Juno the protector of women, and Minerva the goddess of craft and wisdom.
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Family Ties and Divine Ancestors:
- Venus was believed to be the mother of Aeneas, the legendary founder of Rome, making her the divine mother of the Roman people.
- Mars was considered the father of Romulus and Remus, the actual founders of Rome.
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Divine Rule and Imperial Family:
- Aeneas and Romulus were believed to have become gods after their deaths.
- The family of Augustus traced its roots back to these divine ancestors, and over time, the entire imperial family was considered divine.
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Spread of New Religions:
- With the expansion of the Roman Empire, it assimilated new cultures and gods from conquered territories.
- Examples include the worship of Isis in Egypt and the popularity of the Persian god Mithras among Roman legions.
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Multicultural Influence:
- The Roman Empire's multicultural nature facilitated the spread of diverse religious beliefs across continents and countries.
This information provides a comprehensive overview of Roman religious practices, the amalgamation of gods, and the influence of the Roman Empire on religious diversity. If you have specific questions or need more details on any particular aspect, feel free to ask.
