List of Roman deities facts for kids

The Roman deities were the gods and goddesses worshipped by the ancient Romans. Many of these gods are well-known today because the Romans connected them with similar Greek gods. They adopted Greek stories, art, and even some religious practices into their own culture.

However, many original Roman gods are less known. We often only know their names and what they did from old writings. These older gods came from the very early days of Rome, during the time of kings. Over time, the Romans also adopted gods from other Italic groups and the Etruscans. As the Roman Empire grew, people in different provinces also connected their local gods with Roman ones.

Groups of Roman Gods

Sometimes, the Romans talked about gods in groups instead of naming each one separately. Some groups, like the Camenae (goddesses of springs and prophecy) and Parcae (the Fates), had a specific number of members. Other groups included many gods without a set number.

Gods of Sky, Earth, and Underworld

A Roman writer named Varro divided the gods into three main groups based on where they lived:

• Gods of the Sky (di superi): These were the heavenly gods, worshipped at high altars.
• Gods of the Earth (di terrestres): These gods were connected to the land, worshipped at regular altars.
• Gods of the Underworld (di inferi): These were the gods of the world below, honored at special hearths or fire pits.

Often, Romans simply spoke of "gods above" and "gods below."

Important Groups of Three Gods

The Romans had several important groups of three gods, called Triads:

• Archaic Triad: This early group included Jupiter (king of the gods), Mars (god of war), and Quirinus (a god of the Roman people).
• Capitoline Triad: This famous group included Jupiter, Juno (queen of the gods), and Minerva (goddess of wisdom). They were worshipped in a major temple on the Capitoline Hill in Rome.
• Plebeian or Aventine Triad: This group, important to common people, included Ceres (goddess of harvest), Liber (god of freedom and wine), and Libera (a goddess of fertility).

Groups of Twelve Gods

The Gods' Banquet (Lectisternium of 217 BC)

A lectisternium was a special feast for the gods. Their statues were placed on couches, as if they were really there eating with the people. In 217 BC, a famous banquet honored twelve great gods, arranged in pairs:

• Jupiter and Juno
• Neptune and Minerva
• Mars and Venus
• Apollo and Diana
• Vulcan and Vesta
• Mercury and Ceres

These pairings, often like married couples or partners, showed the influence of Greek mythology on Roman beliefs.

An altar showing the Dii Consentes

The Dii Consentes

The Dii Consentes were another group of twelve important gods. Their golden statues stood in the Roman forum. They were also arranged in six male-female pairs, similar to the gods from the lectisternium. Many historians believe they were the same twelve gods. These Dii Consentes are often compared to the Twelve Olympian gods of Greek mythology. The name Consentes suggests they formed a council or agreed on important matters.

Gods with Special Priests (Di Flaminales)

Certain gods had their own dedicated priests called flamens.

• The three most important flamens served:
  • Jupiter
  • Mars
  • Pluto
• Twelve less important flamens served other gods, including:
  • Carmentis
  • Ceres
  • Falacer
  • Flora
  • Furrina
  • Palatua
  • Pomona
  • Portunus
  • Vulcan
  • Volturnus
  • Two other gods whose names are now lost.

Varro's Twenty Main Gods (Di Selecti)

The writer Varro also listed twenty principal gods of Roman religion:

Sabine Gods Adopted by Romans

The Romans often adopted gods from other cultures, especially from the Sabine people who lived near Rome. Varro, who was Sabine himself, listed many Sabine gods that became part of Roman religion:

Livia, wife of Augustus, dressed as the goddess Ops

The Sabines were very important in Rome's early history. For example, the second king of Rome, Numa Pompilius, was Sabine. He is credited with setting up many of Rome's religious rules.

Named Deities (Indigitamenta)

The indigitamenta were deities known mostly by their names and specific roles. These were often minor gods or special titles for major gods. Roman priests kept lists of these names to make sure they called upon the correct god during prayers.

Native and New Gods (Di Indigetes and Novensiles)

Some scholars believed the di indigetes were Rome's original gods, while the di novensiles were "newcomer gods." However, ancient sources don't clearly make this distinction. The exact meaning of these terms is still debated by experts today.

Alphabetical List of Roman Deities

A

• Abundantia: The goddess of plenty and good fortune.
• Acca Larentia: An ancient goddess honored during the Larentalia festival.
• Aesculapius: The god of health and medicine, similar to the Greek Asclepius.
• Aeternitas: The goddess who represented eternity.
• Aius Locutius: A divine voice that warned Romans about an upcoming invasion.
• Angerona: A goddess who helped people with pain and sadness.
• Anna Perenna: An early goddess of the year's cycle, celebrated in March.
• Annona: The goddess who ensured Rome had enough grain.
• Antevorta: A goddess of the future, also called Porrima.
• Apollo: The god of music, poetry, and prophecies. He was one of the Dii Consentes.
• Aurora: The goddess of the dawn.

B

• Bacchus: The god of wine and celebration, similar to the Greek Dionysus.
• Bellona: A goddess of war.
• Bona Dea: The "Good Goddess," worshipped by women for fertility and healing.
• Bonus Eventus: The god of good outcomes and success.
• Bubona: The goddess who protected cattle.

C

• Caca: An ancient fire goddess.
• Caelus: The god of the sky before Jupiter became king.
• Camenae: Goddesses of fresh water, prophecy, and childbirth.
• Carmenta: A goddess of childbirth and prophecy, leader of the Camenae.
• Ceres: The goddess of the harvest and mother of Proserpina. She was one of the Dii Consentes.
• Clementia: The goddess of forgiveness and mercy.
• Cloacina: The goddess of Rome's sewer system, sometimes linked to Venus.
• Concordia: The goddess of agreement and harmony.
• Consus: A god who protected stored grain.
• Cupid: The Roman god of love, son of Venus, similar to the Greek Eros.
• Cybele: An important goddess from Asia Minor, often called Magna Mater.

D

• Dea Dia: The goddess of growth.
• Dea Tacita: "The Silent Goddess," associated with the dead.

Diana Nemorensis on a denarius

• Decima: One of the three Fates, who measured the thread of life.
• Devera: A goddess who protected midwives and women during childbirth.
• Diana: The goddess of the hunt, the moon, and childbirth. She was one of the Dii Consentes.
• Discordia: The goddess of disagreement and conflict, similar to the Greek Eris.
• Dius Fidius: A god of oaths, connected to Jupiter.
• Di inferi: The gods of the underworld.
• Disciplina: The goddess who represented discipline.
• Dis Pater: A god of wealth and the underworld, similar to the Greek Pluto.

E

The Gallo-Roman horse goddess Epona

• Egeria: A water nymph or goddess, later part of the Camenae.
• Epona: A Gallo-Roman goddess of horses, likely from Celtic origins.

F

• Falacer: An obscure god with a dedicated priest.
• Fama: The goddess of fame and rumors.
• Fauna: A goddess of prophecy.
• Faunus: The god of flocks and shepherds.
• Febris: The goddess of fevers, who could cause or prevent them.
• Fecunditas: The goddess who represented fertility.
• Felicitas: The goddess of good luck and success.
• Feronia: A goddess of wilderness, freed people, and liberty.
• Fides: The goddess who represented loyalty.
• Flora: The goddess of flowers, who had a dedicated priest.
• Fontus: The god of wells and springs.
• Fortuna: The goddess of fortune and luck.
• Fulgora: The goddess who personified lightning.
• Furrina: An ancient goddess whose functions are mostly unknown.

G

• Genius: The guardian spirit or divine protector of each individual.
• Gratiae: The Roman name for the Charites or Graces, goddesses of charm and beauty.

H

Roman statue of the infant Hercules strangling a snake

• Hercules: A god of strength, based on the Greek hero Heracles.
• Honos: The god who personified honor.
• Hora: The wife of Quirinus.

I

• Indiges: The deified hero Aeneas.
• Inuus: A god of fertility and protector of livestock.
• Invidia: The goddess of envy.

J

A two-faced sculpture, possibly of Janus

• Janus: The two-faced god of beginnings, endings, and doorways.
• Juno: The Queen of the gods, goddess of marriage, and one of the Dii Consentes. She was similar to the Greek Hera.
• Jupiter: The King of the gods, god of the sky, storms, and lightning. He was one of the Dii Consentes and had a major priest. He was similar to the Greek Zeus.
• Justitia: The goddess of justice.
• Juturna: The goddess of fountains, wells, and springs.
• Juventas: The goddess of youth.

L

• Lares: Household gods who protected the family and home.
• Latona: The goddess of light.
• Laverna: The patroness of thieves.
• Lemures: The restless spirits of the dead.
• Liber: A god of male fertility, wine, and freedom, similar to the Greek Dionysus.
• Libera: Liber's female counterpart, similar to the Greek Persephone.
• Libertas: The goddess who personified freedom.
• Libitina: The goddess of death and funerals.
• Lucina: The goddess of childbirth, often seen as an aspect of Juno.
• Luna: The goddess of the moon.
• Lupercus: A god of shepherds and wolves.

M

Capitoline Triad of Juno, Jupiter, and Minerva

• Manes: The souls of the dead, sometimes worshipped as household deities.
• Mars: The god of war and father of Romulus. He was one of the Dii Consentes and had a major priest. He was similar to the Greek Ares.
• Mater Matuta: The goddess of dawn and childbirth, also protecting sailors.
• Meditrina: The goddess of healing.
• Mefitis: A goddess of poisonous gases and volcanic vapors.
• Mellona: The goddess of bees and beekeeping.
• Mercury: The messenger of the gods and guide of souls to the underworld. He was one of the Dii Consentes and similar to the Greek Hermes.
• Minerva: The goddess of wisdom, war, arts, and crafts. She was one of the Dii Consentes and similar to the Greek Athena.
• Mithras: A god worshipped in the Roman Empire, especially popular with soldiers.
• Moneta: A minor goddess of memory, also an epithet for Juno.
• Mors: The personification of death, similar to the Greek Thanatos.
• Morta: One of the three Fates, who cut the thread of life.

N

• Nascio: The personification of the act of birth.
• Necessitas: The goddess of destiny, similar to the Greek Ananke.
• Nemesis: The goddess of revenge, adopted from Greek mythology.
• Neptune: The god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He was one of the Dii Consentes and similar to the Greek Poseidon.
• Nerio: An ancient war goddess and the personification of valor, wife of Mars.
• Nixi: Goddesses of childbirth.
• Nona: One of the three Fates, who spun the thread of life.
• Nortia: An Etruscan goddess of fate, adopted by the Romans.
• Nox: The goddess of night, from the Greek Nyx.

O

• Ops: The goddess of resources and plenty.
• Orcus: A god of the underworld and punisher of broken promises.

P

• Pales: A deity who protected shepherds, flocks, and livestock.
• Parcae: The three Fates, who controlled destiny.
• Pax: The goddess of peace, similar to the Greek Eirene.

Aeneas and the Penates, from a 4th-century manuscript

• Penates: Household gods who protected the family's food and supplies.
• Pietas: The goddess who personified duty and devotion.
• Pluto: The ruler of the dead and the underworld, similar to the Greek Hades.
• Pomona: The goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and orchards.
• Portunus: The god of keys, doors, and harbors.
• Proserpina: The Queen of the Dead and goddess of spring, similar to the Greek Persephone.
• Providentia: The goddess of foresight.
• Pudicitia: The goddess who personified chastity and modesty.

Q

• Quirinus: A Sabine god identified with Mars. Romulus, the founder of Rome, became Quirinus after his death. He was one of the Archaic Triad gods.
• Quiritis: A goddess of motherhood, later linked to Juno.

R

• Robigo: A god or goddess who protected crops from disease.
• Roma: The personification of the Roman state itself.
• Rumina: The goddess who protected breastfeeding mothers.

S

Sol Invictus, or Christ depicted in his guise. 3rd century AD

• Salacia: The goddess of seawater, wife of Neptune.
• Salus: The goddess of public welfare and health, similar to the Greek Hygieia.
• Sancus: The god of loyalty, honesty, and oaths.
• Saturn: An ancient god of harvest and agriculture, father of Jupiter.
• Securitas: The goddess of security, especially for the Roman Empire.
• Silvanus: The god of woodlands and forests.
• Sol: The sun god.
• Somnus: The god of sleep, similar to the Greek Hypnos.
• Spes: The goddess of hope.
• Stata Mater: A goddess who protected against fires.
• Sterquilinus: The god of fertilizer.
• Summanus: The god of nighttime thunder.

T

• Terra Mater: The goddess of the earth and land, similar to the Greek Gaea.
• Terminus: The rustic god of boundaries.
• Tiberinus: The river god of the Tiber.
• Tranquillitas: The goddess of peace and tranquility.
• Trivia: The goddess of crossroads and magic, similar to Hecate.

V

• Vacuna: An ancient Sabine goddess of rest after harvest.
• Vagitanus: A god who helped newborns make their first cry.
• Vediovus: An obscure god, possibly of the underworld.
• Venus: The goddess of love, beauty, and gardens. She was the mother of Aeneas and one of the Dii Consentes.
• Veritas: The goddess who personified truth.
• Vertumnus: The god of the seasons, gardens, and fruit trees.
• Vesta: The goddess of the hearth, the Roman state, and the sacred fire. She was one of the Dii Consentes.
• Victoria: The goddess of victory.
• Viduus: A god who separated the soul and body after death.
• Virtus: The god or goddess who personified military strength and Roman virtue.
• Volturnus: A god of water.
• Voluptas: The goddess of pleasure.
• Vulcan: The god of the forge, fire, and blacksmiths, husband to Venus. He was one of the Dii Consentes and had a minor priest.

Titles and Special Names for Gods

Gods, goddesses, and even deified people sometimes shared special titles.

Augustus and Augusta

Augustus means "the elevated or august one." This was a special title given to the first Roman emperor, Octavian, to show his unique power and divine approval. After his death, it became a title for all emperors. It was also used for many local gods, showing their connection to the emperor's power.

Augusta is the female version of this title. It was given to Roman empresses, whether they were alive or had become goddesses after death. Many state goddesses like Bona Dea, Ceres, Juno, Minerva, and Ops also received this title.

Bonus and Bona

The title Bonus, meaning "the Good" (masculine), or Bona (feminine), was used with abstract goddesses like Bona Fortuna ("Good Fortune") and Bona Spes ("Good Hope"). The goddess Bona Dea, "the Good Goddess," was very important. Bonus Eventus, "Good Outcome," was a god of success.

Caelestis

The title Caelestis, meaning "Heavenly" or "Celestial," was given to several goddesses. It suggested they were aspects of a single, supreme Heavenly Goddess. For example, the Hellenistic Egyptian goddess Isis was called Regina Caeli, "Queen of Heaven". She was seen as connected to Ceres, Venus, Diana, or Proserpina. Juno Caelestis was a Roman version of the Carthaginian goddess Tanit.

Invictus

Invictus, meaning "Unconquered" or "Invincible," was a divine title used since the 3rd century BC. During the Roman Empire, it showed the strength of gods like Jupiter, Mars, Hercules, and Sol (the Sun god). It was also used for Mercury, Saturn, Silvanus, Apollo, and others.

Mater and Pater

Mater ("Mother") was an honorable title for goddesses. It showed their authority and important roles, not just that they were mothers. Terra Mater (Mother Earth) and the Mater Larum (Mother of the Lares) are examples. Even Vesta, a goddess of chastity, was honored as Mater.

Gods were called Pater ("Father") to show their importance and caring nature. This title also meant people should show them respect. Pater was used for Dis, Jupiter, Mars, and Liber.

Magna Mater

"The Great Mother" was a special title given to Cybele in her Roman worship. Some Roman writers also used this title for Maia and other goddesses.

See also

• Classical planets
• Indigitamenta – Lists of Roman deities kept by the College of Pontiffs.
• Interpretato graeca – Comparison of Ancient Greek to other ancient polytheistic religions.
• List of Greek deities
• List of Mesopatamian deities
• List of Metamorphoses characters
• List of Roman agricultural deities
• List of Roman birth and childhood deities
• Reconstructionist Roman religion
• Roman imperial cult