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DiScOvErInG HiStOrY D. The Gods and Customs of Rome


The Romans were a very religious people. They believed in many gods and goddesses. This is known as polytheism. Every aspect of their lives was connected to their belief in these gods. They prayed to the gods to help them with warfare or the harvest. They even had gods for doorways and fireplaces!


Jupiter was the king of the gods. Juno was his wife and she was the goddess of marriage. Jupiter had two brothers, Pluto (god of the underworld) and Neptune (god of the sea). Venus was the goddess of love and beauty and she often used her son Cupid to make people fall in love using his little bow and arrow.


Minerva was the goddess of wisdom and Diana was the goddess of hunting. All soldiers prayed to the god of war, Mars (the month of March is named after him). Apollo was the god of prophecy and music. Whenever anyone drank alcohol they gave thanks to the god of wine, Bacchus. When people harvested their crops they worshipped Ceres (this is where we get the word cereal). Some Roman emperors were worshipped as gods and were believed to be divine.


Whenever Romans needed anything at all they would pray to one of the gods and ask for help. They prayed and gave sacrifices and gifts to these gods and goddesses in temples all around Rome. One of the most important temples, the Pantheon, still exists today and is used as a Catholic church. In fact, ever since it was built in 27 BC it has been in use either as a temple or as a church. In these temples, Romans often asked to have the insides of dead animals examined by augurs (people who could predict the future) as they believed signs of the future could be found there.


Fig 2.25 Neptune, the god of the sea ✣ By the way


Janus was the god of doorways and had two faces – one faced forwards and the other backwards. The month of January is named after Janus. Can you guess why?


Fig 2.26 Cupid


Fig 2.27 The Pantheon is used as a Catholic church today. 46


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