Question | Answer |
Greek and Roman religions | Deeply religious people, ancient native religion of Romans was animism. Romans fell more under influene of Greeks and their religion which was anthropomorphic |
animism | belief that gods did not exist in human form, but spirits were present in world in inanimate objects |
anthropomorphic | belief that gods lived in human form with human characteristics |
Jupiter (Zeus) | Greatest god; ruled the sky, and weather. Used thunderbolt to punish wicked. He had to keep other the gods and goddesses under control. Also had many affairs with mortal women. |
Juno (Hera) | Jupiter's wife; goddess of women and marriage. Relationship with husband was bad. |
Neptune (Poseidon) | Jupiter's brother; god of water and sea (symbol: trident) |
Ceres (Demeter) | Jupiter and Neptune's sister; goddess of crops and fertility |
Minerva (Athena) | goddess of wisdom and handicrafts. Born out of Jupiter's head |
Apollo (Apollo) | Son of Jupiter; god of sun, prophecy, music, and healing |
Diana (Artemis) | goddess of hunting, childbirth, and moon |
Venus (Aphrodite) | goddess of love, beauty, and sexuality; born from foam of the sea and came to land in Paphos, Cyprus. Through Mars she had a son: Cupid |
Cupid (Eros) | son of Venus and Mars; god of physical desire |
Vulcan (Hephaestus) | Venus' husband- lame god of fire/ blacksmiths |
Mars (Ares) | god of war; second most powerful god; father of Romulus and Remus |
Bacchus (Dionysus) | god of wine and freedom of the spirit |
Mercury (Hermes) | Zeus' messenger; god of trade; wore winged cap and sandals, and carried a herald's staff. |
sacrifices | Sacrifices were used to worship gods on special occaisons. Animals were often sacrificed for tribute and used as a break from the regular diet. |
ponitfex maximus | (High Priest), presided over a college of priests. Advised chief magistrates on religious matters. |