Download Gods of Rome Answer Key

Name……………………………………………………………..Date……………………………………Class…………………….
Fill in the missing areas of the chart using the following website: www.gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/roman/index.htm
Roman Name
1. Jupiter
Greek Name
Zeus
Domain (Ruler of)______________
God of the Sky/King of the Gods
2. Vulcan
Hephaistos
Smith God/God of Fire
3. Diana
Artemis
Goddess of the Moon/Hunting
4. Mercury
Hermes
Messenger God
5. Juno
Hera
Queen of Gods/Marriage/Women
6. Mars
Ares
God of War
7. Cupid
Eros
God of Love
8. Apollo
Apollo
God of the Sun/Healing
9. Neptune
Poseidon
God of Seas/Earthquakes/Horses
10. Venus
Aphrodite
Goddess of Love
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Name……………………………………………………………..Date……………………………………Class…………………….
11. Minerva
Athena
Goddess of Wisdom
12. Saturn
Cronos
God of Time
13. Proserpine
Persephone
Goddess of the Underworld
14. Pluto
Hades
God of the Underworld
15. Ceres
Demeter
Goddess of the Earth/Harvest/Corn
16. Bacchus
Dionysus
God of Wine/High Spirits
17. Vesta
Hestia
Goddess of the Home/Hearth
18. Maia
No Equivalent
Goddess of Growth
19. Janus
No Equivalent
God of Doors
20. Uranus
Uranus
The Sky/Heavens
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Name……………………………………………………………..Date……………………………………Class…………………….
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Answer the following questions using the following website: www.gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/roman/index.htm
For each of the following Gods, list how they were reflected in Roman culture.
1. Jupiter: There is a temple in Rome dedicated to Jupiter Optimus Maximus (Jupiter Best and Greatest). The
Romans thought that Jupiter guarded their city and looked after them.
2. Juno: Romans believed that every man had a spirit that looked after him called his “Genius”, and women
had a spirit known as her “Juno”. The first day in each month (calends) belonged to Juno.
3. Mars: Romans were great soldiers and thought Mars was very important to their success. They also
believed he was the father of Romulus, the founder of Rome. The Campus Martius (Fields of Mars) was
where soldiers trained.
4. Neptune: He was not as important to the early Romans because they were not very good sailors, and they
considered him an angry god and the cause of Earthquakes and Tsunamis.
5. Vesta: She was the protector of the sacred flame, which Aeneas supposedly brought from Troy to Rome. The
Sacred Flame was relit every March 1st and if it went out it meant disaster for Rome. Romans would throw
small cakes on the hearth fire in honor of Vesta. If the cake crackled it meant good luck for the family.
6. Janus: His temple doors were opened during times of war and closed during times of peace.
Name……………………………………………………………..Date……………………………………Class…………………….
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Answer questions using the following website: www.gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/roman/index.htm
1. How many of the 12 months are named after Roman Gods? 4
a. List the name of the month, the God, their Domain, and why the month is named after them.
- January: Named after Janus because he is the God of doors or openings and January is the opening of the
year.
- March: Named after Mars because he is the God of war and this is the start of the year for soldiers.
- May: Named after Maia because she is the Goddess of Growth and this is the month when plants really start
to grow.
- June: Named after Juno because she is the Goddess of Marriage and this is the time when weddings may
occur. (Speculation)
2. Where do we get the word Cereal from? Why? From the Goddess Ceres because she is connected to
Agriculture.
3. What day of the week is Jupiter associated with? Thursday. Actually it is connected to
Name……………………………………………………………..Date……………………………………Class…………………….
4. Who is the Red Planet associated with? Why? The planet is associated with Mars the God of War. Blood is
often associated with war and blood is red like the planet.
5. What is Saturnalia and what modern holiday is associated with it? Saturnalia was a mid-winter festival
dedicated to the God Saturn. It was celebrated for 1 week and businesses closed and so did schools.
Parents gave gifts and there were banquets. The holiday is associated with Christmas.
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