The Roman Pantheon of Gods

The Roman Pantheon of Gods

In ancient Rome, the pantheon of gods was divided according to three primary social functions. The first was military, consisting of deities who were either directly or indirectly associated with war. The second was focused on economic and domestic matters. The third encompassed ideological and cultural aspects of life.

Romans believed that every aspect of life was governed by a specific god or spirit. As a result, each family would choose a patron deity to honor with special devotion. This divine patronage could even be passed down through generations. In some cases, members of the elite could impose a particular deity upon a family.

To worship the gods, Romans built monumental temples. These sacred places served as venues for prayer before statues of deities, for festivals, and for offerings. Every citizen was required to take part in the religious celebrations and rituals of their community.

Though Roman gods closely resembled their Greek counterparts, they maintained distinct identities and left an indelible mark on history. Just think of the names of the planets in our solar system — I’m sure no further hints are needed...