This slide show will introduce and give a bit of information about some of the main gods and goddess of ancient Rome. The Romans had dozens of gods, goddesses, minor deities and mythological figures. This slide show will just give an introduction to the main pantheon. 

Before the ancient Romans converted to Christianity in 313 CE, the Romans were Pagan. This means they believed in many gods and goddesses. What we call 'mythology' was their beliefs, and part of their everyday life. This slide show will take you through some of the most important gods and goddesses the Romans worshiped. 

Religion and beliefs were very important for ancient people like the Romans. They had many holidays and festivals to celebrate their gods, to ask for specific favours and to give thanks. They would wear amulets (like intaglios) to have the gods' protection.  Intaglios are tiny carvings on gemstones that were worn on rings. 

They would also have altars made to a god or goddess to bless or protect an area, an activity, or a group of people. 

Image: Finger ring with an intaglio of a Maenad.  Maenads were female figures who followed Bacchus, the god of agriculture, wine and fertility. 

Nicolo intaglio depicting a Maenad dancing and playing the double pipes (‘auloi’). It is set on a much decayed iron ring. Possibly Julio-Claudian. It may have been brought to Newstead at the time of the Agricolan occupation. Part of the Cruickshank collection of finds from Newstead, Roxburghshire.

Intaglio Maenad.jpg

Trimontium Museum

Intaglio-Maenad

Jupiter was the king of the Roman gods and goddesses. He was the  god of the sky and thunder and was considered the strongest god. He could control lightening and appears with a thunderbolt. He was married to Juno and was the father of many of the most important gods and goddesses. His two brothers were Neptune and Pluto. 

His sacred animal was the eagle.  The eagle was a main symbol of the Roman army.

Many festivals were dedicated to Jupiter with feasts, dancing, games, and gifts! 

The planet Jupiter is names after this Roman god. 

Photo of Intaglio of Jupiter, found at Trimontium Fort.  © National Museums Scotland.

Juno was the queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. She was also the protector of Rome and the empire. She was married to the god Jupiter, king of the gods.  Her sacred animal was the peacock.

Juno was the goddess of love and marriage. She was also the goddess of women's health, fertility, and childbirth. Roman women would pray to Juno for a healthy baby, and a happy marriage. The Romans had a festival called "Matronalia" which celebrated and gave thanks to Juno. Married women would have a parade and would go to the temple to leave offerings. Wives would get gifts from their husbands. Female slaves were given a banquet by their masters. 

Photo of a coin depicting Juno as Regina (queen), part of Synton Hoard collection.  Can you see the peacock on the coin? 

Apollo was the sun god.  He was also the god of music and dance, poetry, prophecy, archery, healing and light. The Romans believed Apollo would drive his chariot across the sky each day, pulling the sun behind him, making the night become day. Apollo was a son of Jupiter.  

The festival "Ludi Apollinares" or "Games of Apollo" were held to celebrate Apollo in July. During this festival, the Romans would play different types of games! 

Photo on the left: Altar to Apollo found at Trimontium Fort, dedicated by a centurion. The side of the altar shows a bow as symbol of Apollo.   

Venus was the Roman goddess of love and beauty. She was also the goddess of prosperity and gave victory and good fortune to Roman soldiers. 

Venus was very important to the Romans. They believed she was their ancestor.  She was the mother of Aeneas, the first Roman hero and legendary ancestor of Romulus and Remus, founders of Rome. 

Venus also represented water, and was born from sea foam. Many festivals were celebrated in her honour.

Her sacred animal was the dove. The planet Venus was named after this Roman goddess. 

Photo of a silver necklace found at Trimontium Fort. © National Museums Scotland. 

Coin representing Venus holding Victory, with a shield resting on a helmet.  Synton Hoard. 

Mars was the Roman god of war. The Romans believed he was the protector of Rome. In the beginning, he was the god of agriculture, but later became known for being the god of war and military power. He was the son of Jupiter and Juno. 

His festivals were held in March, and the name of the month of 'March' comes from his name 'Mars'.

The Romans believed that Mars protected the wolves and the woodpeckers. Hurting these animals was not allowed for a long time in ancient Rome. This was because the Roman's believed hurting a wolf or woodpecker would anger Mars. They believed this would bring war to Rome.

The Romans believed Mars was the father of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome.  

The planet Mars is names after this Roman god. 

Photo of sword, called 'gladius', found at Trimontium Fort © National Museums Scotland.

Cupid was the Roman god of love. The Romans believed that if he shot someone with his arrow, they would fall in love with the next person they saw. The Romans would pray to Cupid for all things relating to love. Cupid was son of Venus and Mars. Cupid is now a part of Valentine's day celebrations on the 14th of February. Historians believe the Romans would have celebrated and asked for Cupid's blessing during "Lupercalia" on the 16th of February.  

Photo of Intaglio with two dancing cupids found at Trimontium Fort, © National Museums Scotland. 

Diana was the Roman goddess of the moon, countryside, nature, wildlife and of hunting. The Romans believed she could talk and control wild animals. They would give thanks to Diana for a successful hunt. They would also pray to her for good luck during a hunt. Since the Romans relied on hunting for a lot of their food, having Diana's blessing was very important. The festival "Nemoralia" or "Festival of Torches" was between 13th-15th of August. This is when the Romans would give thanks to Diana. They left offerings on altars and shrines dedicated to her. 

Photo of altar dedicated to Diana from Trimontium Fort. © National Museums Scotland. 

Bacchus was the Roman god of wine, orchards, vegetation, fertility, theatre and festivity. He was a son of Jupiter. The Romans would pray to Bacchus to help their trees and orchards grow. Wine was a very important drink to the Romans. They believed it allowed them to think freely. Bacchus was therefore a very important god to the Romans. Two main festivals celebrated Bacchus, one in the spring and one in the autumn. 

Photo is of a wine jug found at Trimontium Fort. Bacchus head on bottom of handle. 

Minerva was the Roman goddess of wisdom and justice. She was also the goddess of war, medicine, engineers, poetry, weaving, arts and crafts. The Romans believed that Minerva was born without a mother, coming instead out of Jupiter's forehead, already as an adult and dressed in armour.

Minerva's sacred animal was the owl and often wears a helmet and carries a spear.

In March, the Romans celebrated  her at a festival called "Quinquatria". During this festival, women would consult fortune tellers and diviners. They would also have feasts, contests, and give offerings at altars and temples to Minerva.  

Sculpture of a native goddess called Brigantia, found in the south of Scotland. Brigantia is shown in the guise of Minerva. Roman religion was tolerant and flexible. Foreign deities were adopted and identified with Roman ones.  © National Museums Scotland. 

Roman coin showing Minerva with helmet, shield and spear, from Trimontium.

Neptune was the Roman god of the sea. Neptune is often seen riding a dolphin, and holding his powerful trident. The Romans believed Neptune could control storms and the wind. He was the brother of Jupiter and Pluto. 

Neptune's festival "Neptunalia" was celebrated in the summer. At this festival, the Romans would give offerings to Neptune and hold parties in his honour. 

During the middle of July, water would be hard to get in Rome due to the summer drought. Neptunalia was then a very important festival to ensure that Neptune would provide enough water to live on. 

Photo of Oyster shells found at Trimontium Fort. 

Pluto was the Roman god of the underworld and the afterlife. He was also the god of wealth because mineral wealth (like gold and silver) were found underground. 

Pluto helped guide the dead to their final resting place. The Romans believed he would  judge whether a person was good or bad when they were alive. 

Pluto appears with Cerberus, a three headed dog that guarded the gates of the underworld. 

Pluto did not have any festivals just for him, but there were festivals to celebrate and honour the dead.  There were also festivals -similar to Halloween- when the Romans believed the underworld would open. 

The planet Pluto is named after this Roman god. 

Ceres was the goddess of agriculture, crops and the harvest. She was the patron goddess of farmers, and the Roman farmers would pray to her for good crops and a good harvest. She was the daughter of the god Saturn, and sister to many of the other gods such as Jupiter, Juno, Neptune, Pluto, and Vesta. There was a week long festival held in the spring to celebrate Ceres, and to gain her blessing, called 'Cerealia'. 

The word 'cereal' comes from her name 'Ceres', originally meaning 'of Ceres'. 

Photo is of a handle scythe found at Trimontium. This would be used for agriculture to cut grass and wheat.

Mercury was the Roman god of messages. The wings on his sandals made him very fast, making sure his sacred messages always got there on time. The wings on his helmet allowed him to fly. Mercury was believed by the Romans to be very intelligent. They would pray to him for guidance. Mercury was also the god of merchants and commerce. On 15th of May the Romans would have a festival called "Mercuralia" to honour Mercury. For this festival, merchants would sprinkle their heads, ships, and goods in holy water from a special well at Porta Capena in Rome.  

The planet Mercury is named after this Roman god. 

Saturn was the Roman god of time, generations, abundance and liberation. He was the first king of the gods, before Jupiter. The Romans believed that when Saturn was king, humans did not have to work for food or money. Everything was given to them by the gods. 

One of the biggest festivals for the Romans was "Saturnalia", in December and has similarities with modern Christmas celebrations such as: feasts, presents, playing games, decorating green shrubs, lighting candles. 

Also during Saturnalia, slaves were allowed to be the masters for a day, and their masters would serve them food at the feast. 

Vesta was the Roman goddess of the home, hearth and family. Vesta was believed to be the purest and kindest of all the gods and goddesses.  She was the guardian of the Roman people. 

At her temples, priestesses of Vesta would keep a sacred fire burning at all times. The Roman festival "Vestalia" was one of the most important and happened in June. Only women could participate. Women would leave offerings at temples in hopes of getting blessings from the goddess for their families.  

Vulcan was the Roman god of fire, blacksmiths, and metalworking. His name is where the word "volcano" comes from. The Romans believed volcanoes were where Vulcan kept his forge. 

Vulcan was a son of Jupiter and Juno. He would make weapons, jewellery, tools and armour for the gods, goddesses and heroes. It is believed that he made the helmet and sandals that Mercury wears and Jupiter's lightning bolts.

The festival "Vulcanalia" was held in August to celebrate Vulcan. The Romans respected the powerful element of fire, and all that fire allowed them to do and have. 

Standards for Roman Gods and Goddesses

College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework