Roman Mythology Private and - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Roman Mythology

Private and

Public

 Gods

Roman

religion was divided into

two types of gods, primarily as a result of Rome conquering much of Greece in the Macedonian Wars.

Spirits (Numina)

watched over people, families and

households

One who Guards the Cradle

One Who Presides over Children’s Food

Rivers

, trees, fields and buildings each had their own spirit, or numen.

Tables were set with places for the spirits to join

Romans

also had a set of

public

gods

Roman gods were a blend of deities, with close similarities to the gods worshipped by the ancient Greeks. 

Ex. Jupiter

and

Mars

State

worship was much more

formal

Each

god needed an image – usually a statue or relief in stone or bronze – and an altar or temple at which to offer the prayers and sacrifices. 

Divine blessing

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 (mythological founder of Roman Empire), making her the divine mother of the Roman people.

Mars was the father of Romulus and Remus, the mythological founders of Rome. 

Emperors used the importance of religion

for their own ends

. 

Augustus Caesar

appointed

himself as the chief priest – or Pontifex Maximus

–

used

the appearance of Halley’s Comet to claim that he was, himself, the son of a god. 

hired writers and poets to develop myths that weave their greatness into the beginnings of Rome and Roman Empire.

Roman Mythology –How does it compare?

Came 1000 years after the Greeks

.

Origin of Greek Mythology unknown/ Roman mythology has clear

origins

Greek Mythology focused on

mortal life

, earthly accomplishments to acquire fame/ Roman Mythology focused only on mortal life as a means to be rewarded in

the afterlife

.

Greek religion had little influence on the state/ Roman Mythology was endorsed, and sometimes written, by the state

Greek

God

Roman Equivalent

Identification

Jupiter/

Jove

Ruler of all gods/men

2.

Neptune

God of the

seas

3.

Pluto

Ruler over

land of

dead

4.

Juno

Queen

of the gods

5.

Ceres

Goddes

s of grain

6.

Minerva

Goddess of wisdom

7.

Apollo or Phoebus Apollo

God of the sun/music

8.

Diana

Goddess of moon/hunt

9.

Venus

Goddess of love/beauty

10.

Mars

God of war

11.

Mercury

Messenger

god

12.

Vulcan

God of fire

13.

Cupid

God of love

14.

Proserpina

Goddess of the Underworld

Greek

God

Roman Equivalent

Identification

Zeus

Jupiter/

Jove

Ruler of all gods/men

Poseidon

Neptune

God of the

seas

Hades

Pluto

Ruler over

land of

dead

Hera

Juno

Queen

of the gods

Demeter

Ceres

Goddes

s of grain

Athena

Minerva

Goddess of wisdom

Apollo

Apollo or Phoebus Apollo

God of the sun/music

Artemis

Diana

Goddess of moon/hunt

Aphrodite

Venus

Goddess of love/beauty

Ares

Mars

God of war

Hermes

Mercury

Messenger

god

Hephaestus

Vulcan

God of fire

Eros

Cupid

God of love

Romulus and

Remus (pg. 110)

Almost all cultures have stories that explain their beginnings. Why do you think the Romans used Romulus and Remus for that purpose

? How does it shine a positive light on Rome?

Tell why you think it would be important to the Romans for Mars, the God of War, to be

the

alleged father of Romulus and Remus. Tell whether there are any other elements of

war

that tie into the

story.

Like

Heracles, Romulus has a remarkable death. How is his death like that of Heracles? What does it contribute to his heroic image

?

In this myth, the founder of Rome kills his brother and plans the rape and abduction of the Sabine women. Do these actions detract from Romulus’ heroic stature? If not,

why?

What do they reveal about life at that time

?