Roman Goddesses and the Roman Gods Family Tree The Principle Roman Goddesses and the relationships between the different generations of the principle goddesses are illustrated on the Roman Goddesses and Gods Family Tree and Genealogy: Ancient Rome and Roman Goddesses The ancient Roman religion and the worship of Roman Goddesses significantly differed from that of the Greeks. The Roman Goddesses were more practical as opposed to the romantic notions of the Greeks. Every vocation and every household transaction had its presiding Roman goddesses. Roman religion was officially endorsed by the state and exerted considerable influence over the government of Rome. The Roman Goddesses and gods were consulted before important decisions were made, such as going to war. Rites and ceremonies were practised to interpret the will of the gods and goddesses by studying various omens such as the the entrails of animals, the flight patterns of the birds and the interpretation of dreams and natural phenomena. The Romans also practised blood sacrifices. Animal Sacrifice to Juno Sacrifices to Roman Goddesses Roman Goddesses were worshipped at every public event, including the gladiatorial games, where blood sacrifices were made to the Roman Goddesses. A marble altar was set in the middle of the arena of the Roman Colosseum complete with a burning fire. The altar at the Colosseum was dedicated to the worship of of Diana, Pluto and Jupiter. The sex of the sacrificial animal had to correspond to the sex of the god to whom it was offered. White animals were sacrificed to the gods of the upper world whereas black victims to the deities of the under world. A cow, bull or an ox was the most common animal selected for sacrifice. Other sacrifices to Roman goddesses were milk, honey, flowers and perfumes. |