{"id":9319,"date":"2023-10-23T08:50:24","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T07:50:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=9319"},"modified":"2023-10-23T08:50:24","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T07:50:24","slug":"what-was-ancient-rome-religion-called","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/what-was-ancient-rome-religion-called\/","title":{"rendered":"What Was Ancient Rome Religion Called"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Roman Pantheon of gods and goddesses played a major role in the religious beliefs of people in Ancient Rome. The ancient Roman religion, also known as the Roman mythology, was a complex system in which gods and goddesses were worshipped, along with various rituals and festivals that celebrated the gods. The foundation of the Roman religious belief system can be traced back to the worship of the gods and goddesses of the early Indo-European people, who are believed to have inhabited the geographic region that was later to become the Roman Empire. From this foundation, the early Romans developed a rich and multi-leveled system of gods and goddesses with unique traits, powers and areas of dominion, as well as a complex set of religious ceremonies and rituals.<\/p>\n

The main gods and goddesses worshipped by the Romans were Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva, who were collectively known as the Capitoline Triad. Jupiter, or Jove, was the chief god, and his domains included sky, law, and justice. He was the god of thunder, leader of the sky, and protector of the law. Juno, or Juno Moneta, was the goddess of marriage, motherhood, and fertility. She was the wife of Jupiter and the protector of homes and families. Minerva was the goddess of wisdom and war, and she was the daughter of Jupiter and the protector of cities. Other major gods and goddesses of the Roman pantheon included Mars, the god of war, Neptune, the god of the sea, and Mercury, the messenger god.<\/p>\n

In addition to the gods and goddesses, the ancient Romans also worshipped various lesser deities and spirits, including the Lares and Penates, the gods of the home; Janus, the protector of doorways and gates; and Tiberius, the god of rivers. An important part of Roman religious belief was the veneration of the ancestral spirits, known as manes. These spirits were believed to bring health and fertility to the household if they were properly respected and honored. The dead were also believed to possess special powers, as they were believed to be closer to the gods than living mortals.<\/p>\n

The Romans believed that proper veneration of their gods was necessary to maintain balance and harmony in the universe. Thus, they held special festivals and celebrations throughout the year to pay respects to their gods. These festivals included games, sacrifices, and processions. Each god and goddess had its own special day, but the most important feast days were the Saturnalia and the Lupercalia, which honored Jupiter and Mars. Important temples, called ‘fanums’, dedicated to the gods and goddesses were also built throughout the Roman Empire.<\/p>\n