Post by Shade on Sept 25, 2009 23:18:56 GMT -6
Minor Essay on Roman Mythology
Roman Mythology clearly distinguishes two classes of gods, the di indigetes and the de novensides (or novensiles). The indigetes were the original gods of the Roman state and their names and nature are indicated by the fixed festivals of the calendar; thirty such gods were honored with special festivals. The novensides were later divinities who were introduced to the Roman Mythology in the historical period. Early Roman divinities consisted of specialist gods whose names were invoked during the carrying out of various activities; one such example would be harvesting. Fragments of old rituals uncovered detailed the use of invoking several different deities throughout processes, such as plowing or sowing. The name of each deity was often derived from the verb for that operation. Divinities such as these may be classified under the general term of attendant gods who were invoked along with the greater deities. Early Roman Mythology was not so much polytheistic as it was a polydemonism due to the fact the the worshipers concepts of the invoked deities consisted of little more than their names and functions and the deities power. This manifested itself in highly specialized ways.
The indigetes and their festivals show that the early Romans were not only an agricultural community but that they were also fond of fighting and engaging in war. In Roman Mythology the gods represented the practical needs of daily life. Gods such as Janus and Vesta guarded the door and hearth, while the god Lares protected the field and house. Pales protected the pastures, Saturn the sowing, Ceres the growth of the grain, Pomona the fruit, and Consus and Ops the harvest. Jupiter was the ruler of the gods and was also honored and worshiped for the aid his rains would bring the crops. Jupiter was also a much more encompassing god, his weapon being lightning, he was also the director of human activity and the protector of the Romans in their military activities beyond the borders of their own communities. In earlier Roman mythology the gods Mars and Quirinus were present and often identified with each other. Mars was the god of young men and their activities, with an emphasis in war, and was honored during October and March.
In earliest Roman Mythology the head triad were Jupiter, Mars, and Quirinus and then Janus and Vesta. These gods in early Roman Mythology had little individuality and their personal histories lacked marriages and genealogies. Unlike the gods of the Greeks, they were not considered to function in the manner of mortals, and thus not many accounts of their activities exist. This older worship was associated with Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome. He was believed to have Egeria, the goddess of fountains and childbirth, as his consort and adviser. Egeria is often identified as a nymph in later literary sources. New elements to Roman mythology were added at a relatively early date. The Royal house of the Tarquins believed in the Capitoline triad which consisted of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. Another example of an early addition was the worship of Diana on the Aventine Hill. It was at this time in Roman mythology that the introduction of the Sibylline books, which were prophecies of world history, came into light. According to Roman legend the Sibylline books were purchased by Tarquin from the Cumaean Sibyl.
Roman Mythology clearly distinguishes two classes of gods, the di indigetes and the de novensides (or novensiles). The indigetes were the original gods of the Roman state and their names and nature are indicated by the fixed festivals of the calendar; thirty such gods were honored with special festivals. The novensides were later divinities who were introduced to the Roman Mythology in the historical period. Early Roman divinities consisted of specialist gods whose names were invoked during the carrying out of various activities; one such example would be harvesting. Fragments of old rituals uncovered detailed the use of invoking several different deities throughout processes, such as plowing or sowing. The name of each deity was often derived from the verb for that operation. Divinities such as these may be classified under the general term of attendant gods who were invoked along with the greater deities. Early Roman Mythology was not so much polytheistic as it was a polydemonism due to the fact the the worshipers concepts of the invoked deities consisted of little more than their names and functions and the deities power. This manifested itself in highly specialized ways.
The indigetes and their festivals show that the early Romans were not only an agricultural community but that they were also fond of fighting and engaging in war. In Roman Mythology the gods represented the practical needs of daily life. Gods such as Janus and Vesta guarded the door and hearth, while the god Lares protected the field and house. Pales protected the pastures, Saturn the sowing, Ceres the growth of the grain, Pomona the fruit, and Consus and Ops the harvest. Jupiter was the ruler of the gods and was also honored and worshiped for the aid his rains would bring the crops. Jupiter was also a much more encompassing god, his weapon being lightning, he was also the director of human activity and the protector of the Romans in their military activities beyond the borders of their own communities. In earlier Roman mythology the gods Mars and Quirinus were present and often identified with each other. Mars was the god of young men and their activities, with an emphasis in war, and was honored during October and March.
In earliest Roman Mythology the head triad were Jupiter, Mars, and Quirinus and then Janus and Vesta. These gods in early Roman Mythology had little individuality and their personal histories lacked marriages and genealogies. Unlike the gods of the Greeks, they were not considered to function in the manner of mortals, and thus not many accounts of their activities exist. This older worship was associated with Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome. He was believed to have Egeria, the goddess of fountains and childbirth, as his consort and adviser. Egeria is often identified as a nymph in later literary sources. New elements to Roman mythology were added at a relatively early date. The Royal house of the Tarquins believed in the Capitoline triad which consisted of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. Another example of an early addition was the worship of Diana on the Aventine Hill. It was at this time in Roman mythology that the introduction of the Sibylline books, which were prophecies of world history, came into light. According to Roman legend the Sibylline books were purchased by Tarquin from the Cumaean Sibyl.