The Romans had may gods and goddesses. Most of these were the same ones that the ancient Greeks worshipped, except that they had different names. Here are some of the main gods and goddesses in Roman mythology. The names that appear in capitals after each name is the Greek equivalent:
Jupiter (ZEUS): Jupiter was the king of the gods. He threw down thunderbolts to earth when he was angry. Because of this, it's not surprising the largest planet in the solar system was named after him.
Juno (HERA): Juno was the wife of Jupiter, therefore, the queen of the gods, protector of married women, and goddess of marriage and childbirth. In some Roman stories, Juno seemed unpleasant. She was often bad tempered and was jealous of the other goddesses.
Mercury (HERMES): Mercury was the messenger of the gods. He was the protector of travelers, thieves and merchants. He wore winged sandals on his feet and could fly through the air extremely fast.
Venus (APHRODITE): Venus was the goddess of beauty and sexual desire. Also the goddess of gardens and fields.
Apollo (APOLLO): Apollo was the god of the sun, prophecy, medicine and archery. He is usually pictured flying across the sky in a golden chariot drawn by white horses.
Diana (ARTEMIS): Diana was the goddess of the hunt and the protector of wild animals. She always carried a bow and a quiver full of arrows. She was also the goddess of the moon. She was the twin brother of Apollo.
Minerva (ATHENA): Minerva was the goddess of wisdom. She was also goddess of the arts, the protector of towns goddess of war and the protector of heroes.
Neptune (POSEIDON): Neptune was the god of the seas and earthquakes. He always carried a trident with him.
Vulcan (HEPHAESTUS): Vulcan was the god of fire. He was also the blacksmith of the gods. His forge was deep under ground.
Pluto (HADES): Pluto was the ruler of the underworld. Everyone who died went to Pluto's kingdom.
Mars (ARES):The god of war.
Vesta (HESTIA): Vesta was the goddess of the hearth. The hearth was a very important part of the home, therefore she was really the goddess of the home. The vestal virgins would keep fires burning as a way of worshipping Vesta.
Saturn (CRONUS): Saturn was the god of agriculture and the harvest. He was also the ruler of the Titans. Saturday was named after this god.
These were the main gods and goddesses of Roman mythology. Here are some of the other gods:
Liber: god of wine
Ceres (SEE reez) (DEMETER): goddess of vegetation
Juventas: goddess of youth
Somnus (HYPNOS): god of sleep
Aurora: goddess of the dawn
Cupid (EROS): god of love
Janus: god of beginnings
Atlas: the giant
Bellona: goddess of war
Flora: goddess of flowers
Fortuna: goddess of destiny
Aesculapius (ASCLEPIUS): God of medicine
Bacchus (DIONYSUS): God of wine and vegetation
Terra (GAEA): Mother Earth
Ops (RHEA): Wife of Saturn, also known as the Mother Goddess
Uranus (URANUS): God of the sky; Father of the Titans.
The Romans originally respected the religious cults and deities of its conquered territories. This was because there were so few original Roman festivals. As the empire continued to grow, many of the conquered peoples festivals were abolished, as well as some of the original Roman festivals. They introduced some new festivals in order to replace these, but eventuallty there were more festival days than there were days on the calender. Some of the most important religious festivals were the Satunalia, the Lupercalia, the Equiria and the Secular Games.
The Satunalia was celebrated for seven days during the winter solstice (December 17 to the 23). Throughout this period, all work was closed, slaves were given temporary freedom, and gifts were exchanged. The Lupercalia was an ancient festival that originally honored Lupercus, a pastoral god of the Italians. The festival was celebrated on February 15 at the cave of the Lupercal on the Palatine Hill, where Romulus and Remus, were supposed to have been nursed by a she wolf. The Equiria was a festival in honor of Mars. It was was celebrated on February 27 and March 14, which was usually the the time of year when new military campaigns were prepared. Horse races in the Campus Martius notably marked the celebration.
The Secuar Games, which included both athletic spectacles and sacrifices, were held at irregular intervals, traditionally once only in about every century, to mark the beginning of a new era. This Roman tradition, however, was often neglected
Bibliography: Parker, Bertha Morris. The Golden Book Encyclopedia, New York: Golden Press, 1959.
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