Principle Roman Gods and Goddesses
Who are all the Roman gods and what are the Roman gods and goddess names? The names of the principle Roman gods and the 'Dei Consentes', the Council of Gods, were Jupiter (aka Jove), Juno, Vesta, Minerva, Ceres, Diana, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Neptune, Vulcan & Apollo. Roman Gods: Jupiter, who was also called Jove
Jupiter was the king of the Roman gods and of the sky and the heavens. Jupiter was the patron god of the Roman state ruling over laws and social order. Jupiter was the brother of Vesta, Pluto, Neptune and Ceres. He married his sister Juno and together they had three children; Mars, Juventia and Vulcan. His symbols were the the aegis (a protective shield) the oak tree, the eagle, the bull and the thunderbolt. The largest temple in Rome was dedicated to the god Jupiter and situated on the Capitoline Hill. Roman Gods: Juno
Juno was the Queen of the Roman gods and the goddess of the marriage. women, especially in association with childbirth. She married her brother Jupiter and together they had three children: Mars, Juventia and Vulcan. Juno is represented by the Romans with a spear in her hand, and sometimes with a patera (a shallow dish). Roman Gods: Neptune
Neptune was the name of the god of the sea. He was a son of the Titans, Cronus and Rhea. The brother of Jupiter, Vesta, Pluto and Ceres Roman Gods: Mars
Mars was the Roman god of war and the son of Jupiter and Juno. As Mars Gradivus, the god of war preceded the Roman armies and led them to victory. The name of Gradivus was one of the gods by whom a general or soldiers might swear an oath to be valorous in battle. The priests of Mars, the war god, were called the Salii who wore the full war-dress (trabea and tunica picta) and were was first instituted by Numa Pompilius. Roman Gods: Venus
Venus was the goddess of love and beauty and the daughter of Jupiter and Dione. The name Venus derives from the Latin word 'vanati' meaning "desires, loves, wins". Venus had many children by her lovers including Cupid, god of love by Mars, the god of war. The Veneralia was the Ancient Roman festival of Venus Verticordia and was held on April 1. Roman Gods: Mercury
Mercury was the messenger of the gods. He was also the Roman god of finance, gymnasts, thieves, gamblers, merchants and commerce. He had a temple and a sacred fount near the Porta Capena. A famous temple was erected to Mercury near the Circus Maximus. Roman Gods: Bacchus
Bacchus was the Roman god of wine and merry-making and the son of the Jupiter and Semele. The name of his festival was 'Bacchanalia' which held between March 15 and 16 and been used to refer to any forms of drunken revelry. Bacchanalia were held in in the grove of Simila, near the Aventine Hill in Rome. The Latin word 'orgia' originally meant "secret rites" and from which the modern word 'orgy' is derived. Roman Gods: Minerva
Minerva was the name of the goddess of wisdom, the daughter of Jupiter. Her symbols and weapons reflected her strategic approach and her preparation for war and were symbols of victory. Minerva was a member of the Capitoline Triad which consisted of three major gods - Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. The most important temples in Rome were dedicated to the triad of gods and situated on the Capitoline Hill. Roman Gods: Ceres
Ceres was the goddess of agriculture. The sister of Vesta, Pluto, Neptune and Jupiter. The mother of Proserpina (by Jupiter) who was abducted by Pluto and carried off into the Underworld. Her name originates from the Latin word 'Cerealis' meaning "of grain" from which we derive the modern word 'cereal'. Roman Gods: Vulcan
Vulcan was the name of the Roman god of fire and metal-working and the son of Jupiter and Juno. His name derives from the Latin word 'Vulcanus' meaning "fire, flames, volcano". Vulcan was highly honored by the Romans who debated the most important issues of the republic in his temple. Roman Gods: Pluto
Pluto was the Roman god of the Underworld and the brother of Jupiter, Vesta, Neptune and Ceres. Animal Sacrifices were made to Pluto at the Roman Colosseum where a marble altar was set in the middle of the arena, complete with a burning fire. As the god of Death the name of Pluto was used in Roman curse tablets. Roman Gods: Diana
Diana was the name of the goddess of the hunt and the moon. She was the daughter of Jupiter and Latona and the twin sister of Apollo. As an emblem of chastity she was especially venerated by young maidens, they sacrificed their hair to her before marrying. Her name was first known as Diviana meaning "to shine". Roman Gods: Apollo
Apollo was the name of the god of the sun, music, healing, archery and prophecy. The son of Jupiter and Latona, twin of Diana. As the the source of harmony he was called Liber Pater and carried a shield to show he was the protector of mankind, and their preserver in health and safety. Roman Gods: Cupid
Cupid was the name of the Roman god of erotic love and beauty.. His name derives from the Latin word 'Cupido' meaning "desire, love". Cupid had two different types of arrows which explains this Roman god's association with both romantic and erotic love. His daughter called Voluptus was the spirit of pleasure, desire, and enjoyment. | 
