 Lararium from Pompeii |
The earliest Romans believed that everything had a mysterious and protecting spirit (anima) the sky, the rivers,ripening of crops and even the hinges on a door. Today we would call these superstitions, magic or taboos. Various households gods called Lares were worshipped by the family. When Mt. Vesuvius erupted, it was believed that the Lares would protect the families. The three most common Lares that the Romans worshipped were: The Penates, gods of the food supply The Genius, guardian spirit of the head of the household Simple offerings and prayers to these deities remained a most vital part of the Roman religion. |
At the founding of Rome, the gods were numina, divine manifestations, faceless, without form but very powerful. As the empire expanded, the culture of other regions greatly influenced the religion of the Romans and their gods gradually evolved into human forms with personalities of their own. A group of twelve gods called Dii Consentes is especially honored by the Romans. | |
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1. Jupiter 2. Juno 3. Minerva 4. Vesta 5. Ceres 6. Diana 7. Venus 8. Mars 9. Mercurius 10. Neptunus 11. Volcanus 12. Apollo |
A. Messenger of the gods B. God of fire C. Wife of Jupiter, Queen of the gods D. God of the Sea E. Goddess of hearth and home,domestic and religious fire F. Goddess of agriculture G. King of the gods H. Goddess of wisdom and learning I. Goddess of the moon and of the hunt J. Goddess of love and beauty K. God of intelligence, music and prophecy L. God of war |
| ANSWERS
1G 2C 3H 4E 5F 6I 7J 8L 9A 10D 11B 12K | |
 VESTA |
 ATHENA |
 CERES |