Roman Roman MythologyMythologyOrigins of LanguageOrigins of Language

What is a MYTH?What is a MYTH?A myth A myth is a story, created by a is a story, created by a

whole people or society over whole people or society over time, that explains some of the time, that explains some of the wisdom or truth valued by that wisdom or truth valued by that society.society.– Explain why the natural world is the Explain why the natural world is the

way it is.way it is.– Answer deep philosophical issues.Answer deep philosophical issues.– Reason evil exists in the world.Reason evil exists in the world.

HistoricalHistorical OverviewOverviewRomans did not understand Romans did not understand

science, instead they science, instead they believed in forces or spiritsbelieved in forces or spirits

Romans were influenced by Romans were influenced by the Greeks and adopted the Greeks and adopted many of their Gods and gave many of their Gods and gave them Roman namesthem Roman names

The Roman mythology and The Roman mythology and Gods tell us a lot about what Gods tell us a lot about what the early Romans thought was the early Romans thought was important.important.

They valued family, beauty, They valued family, beauty, honor, truth, wisdom, wealth, honor, truth, wisdom, wealth, courage and strength.courage and strength.

Top 12 Gods andTop 12 Gods and GoddessesGoddessesThe main Roman Gods lived onThe main Roman Gods lived on

““Mount Olympus”Mount Olympus”

There were 12 main Gods and There were 12 main Gods and GoddessesGoddesses

There were several “lesser” gods There were several “lesser” gods also. also.

Jupiter Jupiter ((Greek:Greek: Zeus) Zeus)King of the GodsKing of the GodsSymbols: Eagle, Symbols: Eagle,

Shield, Thunderbolt Shield, Thunderbolt and Oak Treeand Oak Tree

Gentle and caring, Gentle and caring, but can get angry but can get angry at people and godsat people and gods

Married to Jupiter Married to Jupiter /Queen of the Gods/Queen of the Gods

Goddess of Heaven, Goddess of Heaven, Marriage & ChildbirthMarriage & Childbirth

Symbols: Peacock Symbols: Peacock and Cowand Cow

Juno Juno ((Greek:Greek: Hera) Hera)

NeptuneNeptune ((Greek:Greek: Poseidon) Poseidon)Jupiter’s brother Jupiter’s brother God of the Sea and God of the Sea and

earthquakesearthquakesSymbols: Trident, Symbols: Trident,

Horse and BullHorse and Bull22ndnd most powerful most powerful

God on Mt.OlympusGod on Mt.Olympus

Apollo Apollo ((Greek:Greek: Apollo) Apollo)Son of JupiterSon of JupiterGod of Poetry, Light, God of Poetry, Light,

Music and MedicineMusic and MedicineSymbols: Crow, Symbols: Crow,

Dolphin, Laurel and Dolphin, Laurel and LyreLyre

He is associated with He is associated with the sunthe sun

Twin sister of ApolloTwin sister of ApolloGoddess of the Goddess of the

Hunt, the Moon and Hunt, the Moon and ChildrenChildren

Symbols: Stag, Symbols: Stag, Moon and CypressMoon and Cypress

DianaDiana ((Greek:Greek: Artemis) Artemis)

Mercury Mercury ((Greek:Greek: Hermes) Hermes)Son of JupiterSon of JupiterGod of Motion, Sleep, God of Motion, Sleep,

Dreams, Commerce Dreams, Commerce and Travelersand Travelers

Messenger of the GodsMessenger of the GodsSymbols: Wand, Symbols: Wand,

Winged Sandals and Winged Sandals and Winged HelmetWinged Helmet

Graceful, Clever and Graceful, Clever and QuickQuick

Roman Gods and Goddesses

Part II

Mars Mars ((Greek:Greek: Ares) Ares)Son of JupiterSon of JupiterGod of WarGod of WarSymbols: Vulture, Symbols: Vulture,

DogDogBloody, fiery Bloody, fiery

character – not character – not well likedwell liked

Vulcan Vulcan ((Greek:Greek: Hephaestus) Hephaestus)Son of Jupiter and Son of Jupiter and

Juno / Married to Juno / Married to VenusVenus

God of the ForgeGod of the ForgeSymbols: Fire and Symbols: Fire and

Blacksmith’s Blacksmith’s HammerHammer

Lame blacksmithLame blacksmith

Venus Venus ((Greek:Greek: Aphrodite) Aphrodite) Married to VulcanMarried to Vulcan Goddess of Love and Goddess of Love and

BeautyBeauty Symbols: Dove, Sparrow, Symbols: Dove, Sparrow,

Swan and MyrtleSwan and Myrtle Born of the sea foamBorn of the sea foam Sons are: Sons are: CupidCupid (shoots (shoots

arrows for love) and arrows for love) and Aeneas Aeneas (ancestor of Romans) (ancestor of Romans)

Jupiter’s favorite childJupiter’s favorite child (born from his brain)(born from his brain)

Goddess of Wisdom, Goddess of Wisdom, War, and the CityWar, and the City

Symbols: Owl, Shield Symbols: Owl, Shield and Olive Branchand Olive Branch

Protector and namesake Protector and namesake for city of Athensfor city of Athens

Minerva Minerva ((Greek:Greek: Athena) Athena)

Vesta Vesta ((Greek:Greek: Hestia) Hestia)Sister of JupiterSister of JupiterGoddess of the Goddess of the

Hearth and Hearth and Home and the Home and the familyfamily

Symbol: fireSymbol: fireNever marriedNever married

Ceres Ceres ((Greek:Greek: Demeter) Demeter)Sister of JupiterSister of JupiterGoddess of grain Goddess of grain

and agricultureand agricultureSymbols: ear of Symbols: ear of

wheat and grainwheat and grainShe is a bond She is a bond

between heaven between heaven and earthand earth

ReferencesReferences Aliki, Aliki, The Gods and Goddesses of OlympusThe Gods and Goddesses of Olympus, 1994m Harper Collins , 1994m Harper Collins

Publishers, USAPublishers, USA Fisher, Leonard Everett, Fisher, Leonard Everett, The Olympians Great Gods and Goddesses of The Olympians Great Gods and Goddesses of

Ancient GreeceAncient Greece, 1984, Holiday House, New York, 1984, Holiday House, New York Usher, Kerry, Heroes, Usher, Kerry, Heroes, Gods & Emperors from Roman MythologyGods & Emperors from Roman Mythology, 1983, , 1983,

Schocken Books, New YorkSchocken Books, New York http://www.loggia.com/myth/numen.html http://www.loggia.com/myth/numen.html 1/12/20081/12/2008 http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Mythology/ 1/15/2008http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Mythology/ 1/15/2008 http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Mythology/Images/hades.jpg 1/20/2008http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Mythology/Images/hades.jpg 1/20/2008 http://www.hranajanto.com/goddessgallery/pgfx/hestia-400.jpghttp://www.hranajanto.com/goddessgallery/pgfx/hestia-400.jpg 1/20/2008 1/20/2008   www.gordinasseri.com/paintings/images/ares.jpg http:// 1/20/2008www.gordinasseri.com/paintings/images/ares.jpg http:// 1/20/2008 www.elizabethgenco.com/images/artemis.jpg 1/20/2008www.elizabethgenco.com/images/artemis.jpg 1/20/2008 www.sistersofearthsong.com/APHRODITE/aphrodite.jpg www.sistersofearthsong.com/APHRODITE/aphrodite.jpg

http://www.cretinderhamhall.org/departmental/values/teachweb/Romanhttp://www.cretinderhamhall.org/departmental/values/teachweb/Roman%20Religion%20powerpoint.ppt#266,5,JUPITER - King of the Gods %20Religion%20powerpoint.ppt#266,5,JUPITER - King of the Gods 1/12/20081/12/2008