Five Greek Gods That Found A Place In Roman Religion

Identify any five Greek Gods that found a place in the Roman religion and elaborate upon their traits. According to Cartwright (2023), in ancient Greece, the twelve major Olympian gods and goddesses were acknowledged, with (i) Zeus holding the title of King of the gods and presiding over Mount Olympus. Zeus was revered as the god of the sky, lightning, thunder, law, order, and justice. The Roman equivalent of Zeus, Jupiter or Jove, was the principal deity of the Romans and Latins, serving as the protector of the Roman state and enforcer of laws and social harmony. (ii) Hera, the Queen of the gods in Greek mythology, was known for her jealousy and vengeful nature, particularly in response to Zeus's infidelities and illegitimate children. She

These included virtues like wisdom and beauty, as well as vices such as greed, hatred, jealousy, and uncontrollable anger. Wasson (2024) has purported that Phoebus (Roman), closely associated with Apollo, was connected to various aspects like music, poetry, prophecy, healing, and the sun, sharing numerous attributes with the god. Phoebus was often portrayed as a radiant figure, symbolizing the brilliance of the sun. Revered across the Greek world, (v) Poseidon was the god attributed to the sea, storms, earthquakes, and horses. His role as the protector of seafarers and guardian of numerous Hellenic cities and colonies earned him great respect. The epithet "earth-shaker" was bestowed upon him due to his ability to cause earthquakes, and his earliest places of worship in Greece were primarily situated inland, often centred around pools and streams (Zaidman & Pantel, 2012). Like Poseidon, Neptune holds dominion over the sea and is connected to the immense oceans, rivers, and other water formations. His control over the seas is symbolized by his trident, and he is commonly depicted riding a chariot that is pulled by sea

The ancient Roman household life was intricately connected to the worship of the Lares and Penates. The Lares, revered as protective deities, were often associated with the hearth and the home. It was believed that they oversaw, protected, and influenced all events within the household. The Lares were commonly honored at Lararia, household shrines. In contrast, the Penates were deities of the pantry or storeroom, closely linked to the most intimate part of the house. They were strongly tied to the family's prosperity and were worshipped alongside the Lares during domestic ceremonies (Mark, 2024). I found this to be fascinating as they incorporated this practice into their daily lives, symbolizing the significance of their beliefs in their deities and the potential for these rituals to bring them tranquillity and success. References Cartwright, M. (2023, March 31). The 12 Olympian gods. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/collection/58/the-12-olympian-gods/ Mark, J. J. 2024, May 28. Roman household spirits: Manes, panes and lares. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/article/34/roman-household-spirits-manes-panes-and-lares/ Wasson, D. L. (2024, May 27). Juno. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/Juno/ Zaidman, L. B., & Pantel, P. S. (2012, June 5). A polytheistic religion (Chapter 13) - religion in the ancient Greek city. Cambridge