Some of the gods and goddesses of Ancient Rome. Ancient Rome is generally defined as the 1300 years between about 753BC (when Rome was apparently founded by Romulus and Remus) and 476AD (when the Empire was broken up). We're not so sure about the actual starting date, because the early Roman records were destroyed by the Gauls when they sacked the city in 390BC, so we go on the legends about the founding of Rome, which we still have.
Bacchus
God of wine, fertility and vegetation. He loves a party, and is shown wearing a purple robe and a crown of vine leaves. He is a happy drunk and showers his friends with chalices of wine. Very similar to the Greek God Dionysus.
Ceres
Goddess of agriculture and the harvest. She is a kind and benevolent Goddess, shown holding a cornucopia filled with fruits and vegetables, a sceptre or an agricultural tool. She is described similarly to the Greek Goddess Demeter.
Diana
Goddess of the Moon, the hunt and of fertility. Virgin daughter of Jupiter, often seen with a dog or stag. by her side. Described similarly to the Greek Goddess Artemis.
Fortuna
Goddess of fortune and fate. She is a mature woman, and carries a cornucopia, a ship's rudder, a sphere and a wheel.
Janus
God of beginnings and doorways. He is a bearded man with two faces - one looks into the past and the other into the future. He is sometimes shown holding a key.
Juno
Goddess of women, childbirth and the Moon. She is the mother of Mars, wife of Jupiter and is queen of the Gods. She is a beautiful mature woman, with dark hair and a robe. The cow, peacock and goose are her sacred animals. Similar to the Greek Goddess Hera.
Jupiter
God of light and the sky. He is a son of Saturn, brother of Neptune and Juno (who is also his wife) and is king of the Gods. He is pictured often with a thunderbolt, and his sacred animal and messenger is the eagle. Described similarly to the Greek God Zeus.
Luna
Goddess of the Moon. She is the feminine personification of the Moon, and appears as Maiden, Mother and Crone. She was often shown riding a bull or horse, or riding in a chariot pulled by 2 oxen or a pair of horses. Equated with the Greek Goddess Selene.
Mars
God of war and agriculture. He is a large man, dressed in armour and carrying a shield. His sacred animals are the wolf, woodpecker and vulture. He is the son of Juno and presided over crops, athletic competitions and battle.
Mercury
God of communication, commerce, thought and travel. Son of Jupiter and described similarly to the Greek God Hermes.
Neptune
God of earthquakes and the sea. Equated with the Greek God Poseidon.
Pluto
God of the Underworld and wealth. He is equated with the Greek God Hades.
Venus
Goddess of sexuality, love and beauty. Equated with the Greek Goddess Aphrodite.
Vesta
Goddess of the hearth and of fire. Her sacred animal is the donkey and she is described very similarly to the Greek Goddess Hestia.
Celtic Deities Egyptian Deities
