The Romanian and Greek religions have various cultural cults and gods that describe their natural living and the joy of celebrations. Some cults and temples are dedicated to Greek and Roman gods and goddesses of the ancient world. The well-known temple of Jupiter (Zeus in ancient Greece ) on the Capitoline hills in Rome, Italy, is considered the most visited place in Rome.
The ancient gods were symbols with various aspects to represent their power and strength, like Jupiter with an eagle, oak tree, and snake as their representative and a barn owl as a representation of Minerva’s power of sharpness and calmness.
Roman culture is equivalent to that of the Greek god Zeus, who also represents the snake of the underworld, like the god of Pluto, who looks after dead people and souls. Eventually, there will be goddesses connected with different aspects of the universe.
1. Jupiter – The Roman God of the Sky and Weather Events
Jupiter, the god of sky and thunder, ruled over the earth, heavens, and even the whole universe. Jupiter was the god of Roman mythology and protector of the people of the universe. The temple is located on Capitoline Hill in Rome, where the people of Rome worshipped Jupiter and the ancient period during their rituals and ceremonies.
Jupiter, the king of the universe, is symbolised with thunderbolts in his hand, as he is the god of thunder and weather. The eagle also represents him and the wand, a sacred oak tree, Capitolium.
There are many similarities between Zeus and Jupiter, but both are from different religions, as Roman mythology is equivalent to Greek mythology. The thunder god of Greek and Roman gods symbols with the thunderbolts, an eagle, and an oak tree.
Jupiter was a powerful protector and justice giver, just as Zeus was of the Greek gods’ religion. As Zeus protected his siblings from her father Cronus and ruled Mount Olympus after father Cronus, Jupiter also saved his siblings from his father Saturn from being swallowed. The siblings of Jupiter are Neptune(Poseidon), Pluto(Hades), Juno(Hera), Vesta(Hestia), and Ceres(Demeter).
2. Juno – The Celestial Roman Goddess of Love and Marriage
Juno is the goddess of marriage, women, and childbirth and the protector of the Roman religion. She was considered the purest and fullest protector of the Roman period. Juno is often symbolised by a peacock, which shows her natural calmness and calm nature, and a pomegranate, which shows fertility and naturality.
The temple on Capitoline Hill in Rome is called Juno Moneta, where the people of Rome worshipped and celebrated marriages and childbirth in ancient Rome.
Juno is shown as a complex personality in the Roman period, like Hera in Greek mythology. She played an undisguised role of jealousy because Jupiter had multiple affairs with other gods, goddesses, and mortal women. Due to his numerous affairs, many powerful deities were born in ancient Rome.
Jupiter’s most famous affairs like:
- Leda: Jupiter deducted lead in the form of a swan, which resulted in Leda giving birth to Helen of Troy and Polydeces.
- Danae: Jupiter turned into the gold shower and inseminated Danae, which gave birth to Perseus, who killed Gorgon Medusa.
- Alcmene: Jupiter’s affair with Alcmene results in the birth of Heracles, the most significant Greek god.
3. Mars – The Roman God of War
The Roman god of war, mars, was powerful and one of the courageous deities in the Roman pantheon. Mars is the god of agriculture and fertility. He was one of the most powerful and god of war warriors, always helping other gods and goddesses for the right doing.
The month of Mars has been named after Mars, the god of war. Mars was the son of the legend Jupiter and his wife Juno. The personality of the Roman god Mars was equivalent to the Greek god Ares of the Greeks.
Ares was one of the most courageous Greek gods; just like Mars, where Mars played a central role as a deity of the Roman pantheon. The symbol of Mars is considered a spear, shield, helmet, armour, vulture, and wolf, representing readiness for war, courage, and behaviour.
4. Minerva – The Roman Goddess of Knowledge
Minerva, The goddess of wisdom and knowledge, was born from the head of Jupiter. The Romanian goddess Minerva is equivalent to the Greek goddess Athena, symbolised by the barn owl and was born just like Minerva from the head of Zeus after he swallowed her mother, metis. However, in the case of Minerva, the name of Minerva is not specified in Roman mythology.
The temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva is located on the Aventine hill in Rome, where the people worshipped the goddess and celebrated the purity of the women of Rome.
The goddess Minerva is symbolised by a screech owl and olive tree, just like the goddess Athena of Greek history. Minerva is often associated with the art and craftsmanship of the ancient Romans, where she always defended and protected the people of Rome and brought prosperity and peace as she represented the olive tree. She always maintained the law of justice and equality among the Roman people.
5. Apollo – The Roman God of the Sun
In ancient Rome, Apollo was the god of the sun, light, poetry, and healing. He was one of the major twelve deities of the Roman pantheon. Apollo was the son of Jupiter and Letona, a mortal woman. He was often symbolised as a bow and arrows in his hands and the master of art and music.
The temple in Palatinus on Palatine Hill in Rome is one of the famous temples where the people of Rome worshipped healing and medicine. Apollo had a twin sister named Diana, the goddess of nature and hunting spear.
6. Diana – The Roman Goddess of Nature and Hunting
Diana, The goddess of nature and hunting, is considered one of the twelve deities of Roman times. She is the daughter of Jupiter and Letona, one of the Titans, and the daughter of Coeus and Phoebe. She is often symbolised with a bow and arrows in her hands as the goddess of the hunt and the virgin goddess of the Roman period.
Diana’s role is equivalent to the role of Artemis of Greek mythology. She is the twin sister of Apollo, the god of the sun and daughter of the thunder god, often depicted as a lightning bolt in his hands. She is also associated with the moon and shown as a crescent moon crown and riding a chariot with deer. She is the only virgin goddess who rejected the ancient tradition and avoided romantic relationships with anyone.
7. Vulcan – The Roman God of Fire
Vulcan is the Roman god of fire and forge. He is the son of King Jupiter and Queen Juno of the ancient period and is equivalent to Hephaestus of Greece. He is also considered the twelve deity of Roman myths and an imperfect diety as he limps in his legs. Vulcan was married to Venus, the goddess of love and beauty (aphrodite in Greek mythology).
In Roman mythology, the Vulcan, who was imperfect in his physical appearance, and Venus, the goddess of beauty and love, are different matches but tend to complement each other.
8. Venus – The Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty
The goddess and queen of love and beauty, Venus (Aphrodite in Greek myths) was the most beautiful goddess of Roman myths. She held a palm branch in her hands and is considered equivalent to the Greek goddess Aphrodite. She is often associated with the symbols of roses and doves and spreads love and passion.
Despite being married to the god of fire, Vulcan, Venus tends to have multiple affairs with other gods and heroes of the Roman period. Venus is also the mother of Aeneas, a legendary hero and founder of Rome. Rather than being Vulcan’s wife, she played the tendinous role of mother by guiding his child and founding Romanian civilisations.
9. Mercury – The Roman God of Business
Mercury, the god of trade and commerce, is equivalent to Hermes in the Greek world. Mercury is the son of Jupiter, who is equivalent to Zeus in Greek, holding a lightning bolt. Maia is a Greek figure known as Pleiades, a group of seven sisters who were nymphs and daughters of the Titans.
Mercury is the god of trade and commerce because he is the messenger of God and conducts business by delivering souls to the underworld. He is often symbolised with winged sandals and shoes, which show the power of speed and commonality, and a snake entwined around his neck. The winged shoes and sandals depicted with him are called talaria.
The god of trade and commerce had many temples dedicated to him, but one of the most famous temples is located in the Aventine hills in Rome, where the people of Rome worshipped him for the proper balance of life and death.
10. Ceres – The Roman Goddess of Agriculture
The goddess of agriculture and grain, Ceres, is equivalent to Demeter in Greek. She is the daughter of Titans called Saturn and Ops (Cronus and Rhea in Greek) and sister and wife of Jupiter. Ceres is the mother of a Greek god named Proserpina, the daughter of Jupiter and Ceres, because it is common in Greek myths through sibling incest.
Ceres is the symbol of holding up wheat and cereals, harvesting and protecting the farming filled with intense care and love. She is also a protective mother of Proserpina, to whom she gave birth on an island in different conditions. Her role is commonly highlighted in the Roman Empire because of her daughter and her relationship rather than any marital affairs or relationships.
11. Neptune –The Roman God of the Sea
Neptune is the god of the sea, oceans, and other sea creatures, and his role is equivalent to that of Poseidon of Greece. He is one of the significant majesties of ancient mythology who protected the sea and was ruler over the Roman period and brother of Jupiter. Neptune is symbolised by a spear, horses, and a chariot to protect the sea creatures and the earth’s water.
Neptune is accompanied by the goddess of saltwater, Salacia, as his wife. Together, they represent the divine union of saltwater and the earth’s freshwater. In the famous battle between Neptune and Minerva for the city of Athens, where Neptune offered saltwater and Minerva provided olive trees, Minerva won the city of Athens and became the queen of Athens.
12. Quirinus – The Ancient Roman God of Agriculture
Quirinus, the goddess of agriculture and civilisation, was the earliest god of the Roman Empire and was connected with the military force that established Rome. He is often recognised as Romulus, Rome’s legendary founder and first king. He is the twin children of Mars and his brother Remus. After the death of Romulus, he was worshipped as Quirinus, the founder of the city.
Various festivals and temples are dedicated to Quirinus to worship him as the protector and founder of Rome. On February 17th, the festival is celebrated in honour of his work and as the guardians of the Roman empire.
13. Mitra – The Roman God of the Sun
Mitra, the god of sun and light, is an ancient Indo-Iranian and Zoroastrian majesty and Roman religion. He is often depicted as one of the various deities in Hinduism, with Mitra being one of the Aditya and solar deities. The cult called Mithraism is celebrated from 1st to 4th CE. He is often seen as a young man slaying a bull, bringing bright light in the darkness for a bright future and representing friendship, loyalty, honesty, and justice for the perfect balance of humanity.
In Zoroastrian, Mitra is one of the amesha, or holy immortals, who guide the supreme deity in working the universe. He has different roles in different aspects and is identified as the All-mighty and right-doer of the universe.
14. Vesta – The Roman Goddess of the Household
Vesta was the goddess of heart and household, equivalent to Hestia the Greekce. She is considered the queen of warmth, security, and household and one of the virgin goddesses of the Roman period, along with Minerva and Diana. She also served as a chaste virgin from the group of priestesses and protector of Roman civilisation.
Many cults, rituals, and ceremonies were followed for the vesta, which symbolises civic life. The temple of Vesta is located in the Roman forum, where people worship her and sacred fire for her honours.
15. Pluto – The Roman God of the Dead People
Pluto, the god of the underworld, rules over the dead and is one of the principal deities of the Roman period. He is equivalent to the role of Hades in the Greek period god and one of the siblings of the thunder god. He is seen with a helmet that renders him invisible. He is the ruler of the dead people and the founder of the earth beneath, like precious gems and metals.
One of the famous myths of Pluto involved his abduction of Proserpina, the daughter of Ceres whom he took to the underworld to be his queen, later she sacrificed his happiness and asked for a year with her mother on earth and returned to the underworld.
16. Consus – The Ancient Rome God of Agriculture
Consus was a minor deity of the Roman god period. He was the god of grain storage and agriculture. Even his name, Consus, is derived from the Latin word “conservare,” which means to preserve.
He is honoured with the festival name consulate, which includes a chariot race in grains offered to animals for the successful harvesting of grain. It is celebrated twice a year on August 21st and December 15th, marking the end of the agricultural season.
Conusu is followed by small cults in which grain production and storage are among people’s ways of honouring him. He played a significant role in the continuation of the agricultural cycle. He was the guardian of the grain stores, but one of the exciting facts about Consus is that he is often associated with being hidden in the ground of Rome.
Conclusion
The Roman and Greek gods are considered equivalent in characterisation but have different storylines and propositions. The Zeus of Greek myths, who ruled Mount Olympus, is comparable to Jupiter of Roman culture. Other cultures and people worship them but in various ways. The gods and goddesses of Greek and Roman culture seem to have the same significance, but they have different aspects and times.
Last Updated on March 24, 2024 by Khushahal Malakar
