Roman Gods and Roman Religion

Introduction

• Presenter: Alex Isles
• Focus: Roman gods and their understanding
• Starting series to explore Roman deities and religious ideas
• Key Locations & Deities:
  • Capitoline Hill
  • Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva

Series Outline

• Core deities of the Roman Empire
• British native deities
• Male, female, Germanic, Celtic, and British deities
• Gods of Hadrian's Wall
• Empire-wide understanding and regional focus (e.g., Roman Britain)

Roman Deities

Capitoline Triad

• Jupiter
  • Name from Italic tribes
  • Worship standardized by second king of Rome
  • Sky deity, symbolized by eagles and thunderbolts
• Juno
  • Mother deity
  • Represents marriage, fidelity, motherhood
• Minerva
  • Goddess of wisdom, strategy, diplomacy
  • Born from Jupiter's head

Temples & Worship

• Temples as homes for gods
• Worship primarily outside; enters temples only on holy days

Roman Pantheon

Di Consentes

• 12 most important gods after the Capitoline Triad
• Includes: Neptune, Mars, Venus, Apollo, Diana, Vulcan, Vesta, Mercury, Ceres
• Often paired romantically or by power (e.g., Mars & Venus)
• Influenced by Greek counterparts

Syncretism

• Blending Roman gods with local and foreign deities
• Example: Venus with Cloacina (goddess of cleanliness)
• Adaptation of local gods (e.g., Sulis Minerva in Bath, UK)

Key Concepts

• Syncretism: Combining deities to ease cultural integration
• Roman belief: Their gods were the true gods, others were regional spirits

Conclusion

• Roman gods influenced by Italic tribes, Etruscans, and Greeks
• Expanded pantheon for societal control and integration
• Syncretism enabled cultural and religious dominance

Next Steps

• Further exploration of deities and their depictions
• Focus on Roman influence in Northern Britain

General Advice

• Avoid entering Roman temples casually in ancient times
• Roman temples viewed as homes of the gods

Note: The series' approach is both historical and cultural, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of Roman religious systems and their impact on conquered regions.