Religion Flashcards
Jupiter/Jove
Father god that controlled everything. He called storms and presided over everyone including the fates.
Mature male, spear/scepter. eagle. lightning bolts
Juno wife of Jupiter
only married goddess. goddess of wedding and marriage.
scepter/spear, diadem (crown), peacock
Minerva (Athena)
Goddess of war. strategy (mental aspects)
standing with spear/sword and shield. helmet tipped back. Aegis - Medusa’s head on breastplate
Venus
Love/beauty. mother of all Romans.
Young and beautiful, with her son cupid.
pre-Christianity had no angels
Mars
Father of Rome. God of war, strength and might.
Mature Male. Tilted helmet. sword and shield
Neptune
God of waterways
Mature male. Portrayed with ships, dolphins, fish, mythological sea creatures and a trident.
Mercury
god messenger and god of commerce. He brought souls to the underworld.
Young male. little wings on hat and boots. he was small. Carried his special messenger staff caduceus. Two snake intertwined on staff.
Apollo
Greek God. god of healing, the sun, poetry/music, hunting. Patron god of Augustus.
Youthful. Bow and arrow. Chariot to pull sun. Lyre.
Ceres
god of crops. grain is the staple crop. Romans were entitled to grain. Holds crops or cornucopia
Victoria
Goddess of victory
she is small. huge wings
Roma
Goddess of Rome. Fierce
tipped helmet, sword/shield, always seated on conquered armor
Hercules
Greek God. established herculean. brought cattle to Italy. God of commerce and athletic competition.
mature male. Huge muscles. Holds souvenirs from 12 labors. Nemean lion skin. Club. Golden apples from Jupiter’s garden
Dionysus/Bacchus
God of wine. Had a mystery cult that promised a happy afterlife and gained him many followers.
youthful. panther. Thyrsus - staff w/ pinecone (fertility)
epithet
attribute regarded as characteristic of the person or thing mentioned
Cult of the Ancestors
Descendants are supposed to take care of graves and celebrate with them to keep the spirits happy.
holidays dedicated to deceased to make sure there were no angry spirits
Cult of the emperors
The emperors (not kings) would become gods after death if they were good. Julius was the first.
Mystery Cults
Romans had no afterlife.
Soldiers returning form the east brought back religions.
anyone could join
secrets revealed at initiation after schooling
feasts and support
you could join and still support roman religion
when you died you were promised a happy afterlife with that god
Judaism
demanded sole worship. very strict and ancient religion. helped Romans many times. Romans taxed Jews in exchange for letting them be. Great temple in Jerusalem
Vespasian. General that became emperor. His son Titus goes to Jerusalem to silence rebellion. They loot the temple and bring back its treasure to Rome.
Nero bankrupted Rome building his golden house and Vespasian replenished its wealth. Jews began worshiping at home.
Christianity
Jesus born 0 AD dies 37 AD. Different christian communities. They tried to convert people in secret. Nero first to put Christians to death. He blamed the great fire on them. Diocletian worst era
Constantine usurped by Maxentius. The christian god reveals himself to Constantine so he puts the christian symbol on his shields then defeats Maxentius. Edict of Milan: tolerate religions (including Christianity)
bucranium
ox skull symbol. symbol of sacrifices
patera
shallow bowl with a raised nub in the center for a good grip to ensure a smooth ceremony.
capite velato
toga pulled over head. A man under religious undertaking
supplicatio
day when men, women and children would go temple to temple and thank the gods for prosperity
bulla
only roman citizen children could wear it. symbol of bright future. gave it up at 14
Pax Deorum
the harmony or accord between the divine and human was the pax deorum or pax divom (“the peace of the gods” or “divine peace”).[377] Pax deorum was only given in return for correct religious practice. Religious error (vitium) and impiety led to divine disharmony and ira deorum (the anger of the gods
