Introduction IIIntroduction II

1.1. Basic Characteristics of Greek and Basic Characteristics of Greek and Roman DeititisRoman Deititis

2.2. Nature of Roman MythsNature of Roman Myths3.3. 2. the Cultural Context – the 2. the Cultural Context – the

Graeco-Roman WorldGraeco-Roman World

BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF GRECO-ROMAN BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF GRECO-ROMAN DEITIESDEITIES

Divinities are aDivinities are anthropomorphicnthropomorphic – Resemble humans in – Resemble humans in appearance and behavior appearance and behavior

Graceo-Roman Religion isGraceo-Roman Religion is polytheistic polytheistic – There are – There are multiple deities (in contrast: Judaeo-Christian religion multiple deities (in contrast: Judaeo-Christian religion has one god = monotheistic)has one god = monotheistic)

Greek and Roman Deities areGreek and Roman Deities are immortalimmortal but not eternal – but not eternal – Greek gods have a Greek gods have a theogonis theogonis or birth, but they do not or birth, but they do not die.die.

Gods are part of nature and created by nature –in Gods are part of nature and created by nature –in contrast - the Judaeo-Christian god stands outside of contrast - the Judaeo-Christian god stands outside of nature and creates the world nature and creates the world

Graeco-Roman Deities Graeco-Roman Deities continuedcontinued

Greek and Roman gods areGreek and Roman gods are not omnipotent not omnipotent – they are – they are not all powerful and they are not omniscient –they do not not all powerful and they are not omniscient –they do not know all.know all.

Not UniversalNot Universal – Deities have specific functions and often – Deities have specific functions and often the particular functions/responsibilities of the same the particular functions/responsibilities of the same deities vary from place to placedeities vary from place to place

For Example: Jupiter/Zeus is responsible for sky and For Example: Jupiter/Zeus is responsible for sky and weatherweather

Venus/Aphrodite – responsible for physical love and Venus/Aphrodite – responsible for physical love and desire, desire,

Deities are concerned with cult offerings and not so Deities are concerned with cult offerings and not so much with conduct of humans – the ritual (honouring the much with conduct of humans – the ritual (honouring the deity) is central, not a personal relationshipdeity) is central, not a personal relationship

Basic Characteristics of Greek Basic Characteristics of Greek MythsMyths

Highly literary Highly literary – while they have a long oral history – while they have a long oral history – they all came down to us in their final written – they all came down to us in their final written versionsversions

Highly Fluid Highly Fluid – we have multiple versions of the – we have multiple versions of the same myth (i.e. Athena’s status as the patron same myth (i.e. Athena’s status as the patron deity of Athens)deity of Athens)

AnthropocentricAnthropocentric – Humanity is at the centre of all – Humanity is at the centre of all myth while gods are peripheral forcesmyth while gods are peripheral forces

Socially and Culturally EmbeddedSocially and Culturally Embedded – Greek myth is – Greek myth is a reflection of Greek society and culture, i.e. family a reflection of Greek society and culture, i.e. family hierarchy – Zeus/Jupiter = father of the gods, the hierarchy – Zeus/Jupiter = father of the gods, the others have to consult himothers have to consult him

Basic Characteristics of Roman Basic Characteristics of Roman MythsMyths

Most are legends concerned with Rome’s Most are legends concerned with Rome’s foundation and early historyfoundation and early history

Very closely associated with politicsVery closely associated with politics Many associated with particular prominent Many associated with particular prominent

Roman families (i.e. Julian line connected Roman families (i.e. Julian line connected to Iulus (son of Aeneas who was the son of to Iulus (son of Aeneas who was the son of Venus (Aphrodite) Venus (Aphrodite)

Many are aetiological Many are aetiological Many serve as examples for Roman ideals Many serve as examples for Roman ideals

and virtuesand virtues

The Nature of Roman MythThe Nature of Roman Myth Many Greek myths made their way to Italy and Many Greek myths made their way to Italy and

were reworked for Roman contextswere reworked for Roman contexts Distinctively Roman myths and elements were Distinctively Roman myths and elements were

interpolated with Greek myths: example the story interpolated with Greek myths: example the story of Aeneas and Latinus – events after landing in of Aeneas and Latinus – events after landing in ItalyItaly

Roman myths are much more closely and Roman myths are much more closely and obviously tied into Roman political life than Greek obviously tied into Roman political life than Greek myths were in Greek politics myths were in Greek politics

For example: Ovid (27 BCE – 14 CE) For example: Ovid (27 BCE – 14 CE) MetamorphosesMetamorphoses; ;

Virgil, (70 BCE – 19 BCE), Virgil, (70 BCE – 19 BCE), TheThe AeneidAeneid))

The Cultural Context: Rome and The Cultural Context: Rome and Italy Before the Romans (the Italy Before the Romans (the

Archaeological evidence)Archaeological evidence) Early Italy was home to many different Early Italy was home to many different

cultures speaking many different cultures speaking many different languages languages

Site of Rome shows evidence of habitation Site of Rome shows evidence of habitation since ca. 1600 BCE (Pastoral Economy; since ca. 1600 BCE (Pastoral Economy; Buried their dead)Buried their dead)

Between 1000 and 900 BCE Immigrants Between 1000 and 900 BCE Immigrants from the south of Rome inhabited the from the south of Rome inhabited the Palatine Hill (Latin speakers, cremated Palatine Hill (Latin speakers, cremated their dead, practiced agriculture)their dead, practiced agriculture)

Cultural Geography of Early Cultural Geography of Early ItalyItaly

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Greek Influences Greek Influences (and the Etruscans)(and the Etruscans)

Greeks had settled Sicily and Southern Greeks had settled Sicily and Southern Italy (Italy (Magna GraeciaMagna Graecia) since ca. 780 BCE)) since ca. 780 BCE)

Greeks influenced Etruscans and Greek Greeks influenced Etruscans and Greek colonies through trade, diplomacy, and colonies through trade, diplomacy, and warfare (i.e. art and architecture; hoplite warfare (i.e. art and architecture; hoplite warfare; anthropomorphized gods; writing; warfare; anthropomorphized gods; writing; myth and literature)myth and literature)

Much Greek influence came to Rome Much Greek influence came to Rome through the Etruscans , some directly from through the Etruscans , some directly from Greek colonies Greek colonies

Early Italian GodsEarly Italian Gods

The earliest Roman gods were Indo-European godsThe earliest Roman gods were Indo-European gods Earliest Roman religion heavily influenced by the Earliest Roman religion heavily influenced by the

EtruscansEtruscans Original Roman gods were not anthropomorphized Original Roman gods were not anthropomorphized

and there were no myths about themand there were no myths about them Roman gods became associated with Greek gods Roman gods became associated with Greek gods

through Etruscan influencethrough Etruscan influence Myths and anthropomorphic images were applied to Myths and anthropomorphic images were applied to

Roman gods only gradually (many gods with no Roman gods only gradually (many gods with no Greek counterparts never acquired a mythology) Greek counterparts never acquired a mythology)

i.e. Janus (god shown with two facesi.e. Janus (god shown with two faces

the god Janusthe god Janus Italian Deity: looking Italian Deity: looking

forward and back at the forward and back at the same time (one face same time (one face bearded, the other clean bearded, the other clean shaven)shaven)

Month of Ianuarius (January)Month of Ianuarius (January) Also god of entrances and Also god of entrances and

exits, connected with water exits, connected with water (bridges, crossings)(bridges, crossings)

Temple of Janus in Roman Temple of Janus in Roman Forum – doors closed in Forum – doors closed in times of peace times of peace

A few legends exist (when A few legends exist (when Sabines had captured the Sabines had captured the Capital, they were Capital, they were prevented from entering the prevented from entering the Forum by Janus who had Forum by Janus who had water gushed out.water gushed out.

Mars (Mavor)Mars (Mavor) Italian Deity – more important than the Greek god Italian Deity – more important than the Greek god

Ares. Ares. Originally agricultural deity in ItalyOriginally agricultural deity in Italy Associated with spring (time of growth) – hence use Associated with spring (time of growth) – hence use

of his name for March (beginning of Roman year of his name for March (beginning of Roman year before Iulian calendar)before Iulian calendar)

Myths exists about him Myths exists about him As Romans became wore involved in warfare, Mars As Romans became wore involved in warfare, Mars

became a god of war – more important aspect than became a god of war – more important aspect than his agricultural aspect – sacrifices before and after his agricultural aspect – sacrifices before and after battle, and spoils of war were dedicated to Marsbattle, and spoils of war were dedicated to Mars

Temple of Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger) in Rome Temple of Mars Ultor (Mars the Avenger) in Rome Campus Martius – open field outside gates – Campus Martius – open field outside gates –

military practice areamilitary practice area

JupiterJupiter Italian sky-god, form of a name that Italian sky-god, form of a name that

identifies him as an Indo-European sky god identifies him as an Indo-European sky god (like Zeus and other sky gods)(like Zeus and other sky gods)

509 BCE temple of Jupiter Optimus 509 BCE temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximums built on Capitoline Hill in Rome Maximums built on Capitoline Hill in Rome received temple and statue like a Greek city received temple and statue like a Greek city god.god.

Temple was shared with Juno, chief Italian Temple was shared with Juno, chief Italian goddess, and Minerva, Italian fertility and goddess, and Minerva, Italian fertility and war goddess = the Captioline triadwar goddess = the Captioline triad

Jupiter had many names and Jupiter had many names and responsibilities, often associated with responsibilities, often associated with particular cults in particular Italian regionsparticular cults in particular Italian regions

Rome and the EtruscansRome and the Etruscans Etruscans conquered parts of Latium (including Etruscans conquered parts of Latium (including

Rome itself) Campania in the 7Rome itself) Campania in the 7thth and 6 and 6thth centuries centuries (several Roman kings were Etruscans, including the (several Roman kings were Etruscans, including the last one King Tarquinius Superbus)last one King Tarquinius Superbus)

Many Roman religious traditions derive from Many Roman religious traditions derive from Etruscan origins (Etruscan origins (pontificespontifices, , auguryaugury, , haruspicia, haruspicia, tripartite temples – Juno, Jupiter, Minerva; Cult of tripartite temples – Juno, Jupiter, Minerva; Cult of Aeneas) Aeneas)

Greek genealogists/mythographers routinely located Greek genealogists/mythographers routinely located foreign peoples within the context of Greek mythforeign peoples within the context of Greek myth

Romans routinely connected their traditions and Romans routinely connected their traditions and mythic past to Greek mythic traditionsmythic past to Greek mythic traditions

By 200 BCE this fusion was more or less completeBy 200 BCE this fusion was more or less complete

Etruscan Mirror Depicting Etruscan Mirror Depicting Hercules and AthenaHercules and Athena

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Greek and Roman MythsGreek and Roman Myths

Greek and Roman traditions not Greek and Roman traditions not separateseparate

Cultural contacts through Greek Cultural contacts through Greek Colonists, explorers, merchants – Colonists, explorers, merchants – who brought Greek stories to Italy, who brought Greek stories to Italy, where over time they received Italian where over time they received Italian components and became part of the components and became part of the Italian tradition. Italian tradition.

The Travels of the Greek hero The Travels of the Greek hero Herakles - Herakles -

The first 6 of his 12 labours situated on The first 6 of his 12 labours situated on Peloponnese in GreecePeloponnese in Greece

1. The Nemean lion; 2. The Lernean Hydra 1. The Nemean lion; 2. The Lernean Hydra (water snake; 3. The Ceryneian Hind; 4. The (water snake; 3. The Ceryneian Hind; 4. The Erymanthian Boar; 5. The Auegean Stables; Erymanthian Boar; 5. The Auegean Stables; 6. Stymphalian Birds6. Stymphalian Birds

The next 6 labours outside the The next 6 labours outside the Peloponnese: 7.The Cretan Bull; 8. The Peloponnese: 7.The Cretan Bull; 8. The Mares of Diomedes in Thrace; 9. The Girdle Mares of Diomedes in Thrace; 9. The Girdle of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons; 10. of Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons; 10. The cattle of Geryon (in Italy where he The cattle of Geryon (in Italy where he killed Cacus; 11. The Apples of Hesperides; killed Cacus; 11. The Apples of Hesperides; 12 . Cerberus (underwold)12 . Cerberus (underwold)

Herakles (Hercules) travelsHerakles (Hercules) travels

Roman Conquests and Greek Roman Conquests and Greek cultural influences cultural influences

Roman expansion in Italy ca. 350 BCE – 272 BCE brought Roman expansion in Italy ca. 350 BCE – 272 BCE brought

more direct contact with Greek city states in Italy and Sicilymore direct contact with Greek city states in Italy and Sicily Roman expansion beyond Italy from 263 BCE – subsequent Roman expansion beyond Italy from 263 BCE – subsequent

conquest of the Greek east (Sack of Corinth 140 BCE) conquest of the Greek east (Sack of Corinth 140 BCE) brought Romans again into direct contactbrought Romans again into direct contact

Wave of Hellenization of Roman culture via: large number Wave of Hellenization of Roman culture via: large number of Greek slaves poured into Rome, Romans sacked Greek of Greek slaves poured into Rome, Romans sacked Greek works of art and brought it to Rome; Greek literary forms works of art and brought it to Rome; Greek literary forms became the vogue in Rome; educated Roman were became the vogue in Rome; educated Roman were expected to be bilingual and well versed in Greek literature, expected to be bilingual and well versed in Greek literature, philosophy and artphilosophy and art

Roman tendency to incorporate conquered subjects into Roman tendency to incorporate conquered subjects into social, political, and cultural fabric of Roman life.social, political, and cultural fabric of Roman life.

Adopted and adopted whatever they liked and found useful Adopted and adopted whatever they liked and found useful and beneficial and beneficial

Greek Myths in RomeGreek Myths in Rome

Ovid, Ovid, ((Publius Ovidius Naso) b. 43 BCEPublius Ovidius Naso) b. 43 BCE the the Metamorphoses:Metamorphoses: a poem telling the a poem telling the

story of gods and humans down to his story of gods and humans down to his own days. Greek myths with a very own days. Greek myths with a very Roman spin Roman spin

Ovid’s sources for the early books: Ovid’s sources for the early books: Hesiod, c. 700 BCE The Hesiod, c. 700 BCE The Theogony:Theogony: story story of gods (and man) down to present of gods (and man) down to present generation of Olympian gods generation of Olympian gods

Hesiod’s VersionHesiod’s Version ““First came the Chasm,First came the Chasm, and then broad-breasted and then broad-breasted

Earth, secure seat for ever of all the immortals who Earth, secure seat for ever of all the immortals who occupy the peak of snowy Olympus; the misty occupy the peak of snowy Olympus; the misty Tartara in a remote recess of the broad-pathed Tartara in a remote recess of the broad-pathed earth, and Eros, the most handsome among the earth, and Eros, the most handsome among the immortal gods, dissolver of flesh who overcomes the immortal gods, dissolver of flesh who overcomes the reason and purpose in the breasts of all gods and all reason and purpose in the breasts of all gods and all men. Out of the Chasm came Erebos and dark Night, men. Out of the Chasm came Erebos and dark Night, and from Night in turn came Bright Air and Day, and from Night in turn came Bright Air and Day, whom he bore in shared intimacy with Erebos. Earth whom he bore in shared intimacy with Erebos. Earth bore first of all one equal to herself, starry Heaven, bore first of all one equal to herself, starry Heaven, so that he should cover her all about, to be a secure so that he should cover her all about, to be a secure seat for ever for the blessed gods, and she bore ….seat for ever for the blessed gods, and she bore ….

Ovid’s version of the Ovid’s version of the CosmogonyCosmogony

(1,1-20) I want to speak about bodies changed into new (1,1-20) I want to speak about bodies changed into new forms. You, gods, since you are the ones who alter these, and forms. You, gods, since you are the ones who alter these, and all other things, inspire my attempt, and spin out a all other things, inspire my attempt, and spin out a continuous thread of words, from the world's first origins to continuous thread of words, from the world's first origins to my own time.my own time.

        Before there was earth or sea or the sky that covers Before there was earth or sea or the sky that covers everything, Nature appeared the same throughout the everything, Nature appeared the same throughout the whole world: what we call whole world: what we call chaos:chaos: a raw confused mass, a raw confused mass, nothing but inert matter, badly combined discordant nothing but inert matter, badly combined discordant atoms of things, confused in the one placeatoms of things, confused in the one place. There was . There was no Titan yet, shining his light on the world, or waxing Phoebe no Titan yet, shining his light on the world, or waxing Phoebe renewing her white horns, or the earth hovering in renewing her white horns, or the earth hovering in surrounding air balanced by her own weight, or watery surrounding air balanced by her own weight, or watery Amphitrite stretching out her arms along the vast shores of Amphitrite stretching out her arms along the vast shores of the world. Though there was land and sea and air, it was the world. Though there was land and sea and air, it was unstable land, unswimmable water, air needing light. Nothing unstable land, unswimmable water, air needing light. Nothing retained its shape, one thing obstructed another, because in retained its shape, one thing obstructed another, because in the one body, cold fought with heat, moist with dry, soft with the one body, cold fought with heat, moist with dry, soft with hard, and weight with weightless things.hard, and weight with weightless things.

Ovid continuedOvid continued 1. 21-31,1. 21-31, This conflict was ended by a god and a This conflict was ended by a god and a

greater order of nature,greater order of nature, since he split off the since he split off the earth from the sky, and the sea from the land, earth from the sky, and the sea from the land, and divided the transparent heavens from the and divided the transparent heavens from the dense air. When he had disentangled the dense air. When he had disentangled the elements, and freed them from the obscure mass, elements, and freed them from the obscure mass, he fixed them in separate spaces in harmonious he fixed them in separate spaces in harmonious peace. The weightless fire, that forms the peace. The weightless fire, that forms the heavens, darted upwards to make its home in the heavens, darted upwards to make its home in the furthest heights. Next came air in lightness and furthest heights. Next came air in lightness and place. Earth, heavier than either of these, drew place. Earth, heavier than either of these, drew down the largest elements, and was compressed down the largest elements, and was compressed by its own weight. The surrounding water took up by its own weight. The surrounding water took up the last space and enclosed the solid world. the last space and enclosed the solid world.

The story of Herakles killing the The story of Herakles killing the bandit Caucus serves as an bandit Caucus serves as an aetiological myths explaining the aetiological myths explaining the origins of the cult of Hercules in Italy origins of the cult of Hercules in Italy and its adoption by Romulusand its adoption by Romulus

Livy, ab urbe condita 1.7Livy, ab urbe condita 1.7

Roman Versions of Greek Roman Versions of Greek GodsGods

ZeusZeus HeraHera DemeterDemeter PoseidonPoseidon HadesHades AphroditeAphrodite AresAres HephaestusHephaestus HermesHermes DionysusDionysus ApolloApollo AthenaAthena HestiaHestia HeraklesHerakles

JupiterJupiter JunoJuno CeresCeres NeptuneNeptune PlutoPluto VenusVenus MarsMars VulcanVulcan MercuryMercury BacchusBacchus ApolloApollo MinervaMinerva VestaVesta HerculesHercules

Periodization of Roman Periodization of Roman HistoryHistory

Traditional Foundation Date = 753 BCETraditional Foundation Date = 753 BCE 753 BCE – 510 BCE – The Regal Period753 BCE – 510 BCE – The Regal Period 509 BCE – 49 BCE – The Republic509 BCE – 49 BCE – The Republic 49 BCE – 27 BCE – The Revolutionary Period49 BCE – 27 BCE – The Revolutionary Period 27 BCE – 193 CE – The Principate27 BCE – 193 CE – The Principate 193 CE – 284 CE – The Soldier Emperors193 CE – 284 CE – The Soldier Emperors 284 CE – 476 CE – The Dominate284 CE – 476 CE – The Dominate 476 CE – Fall of Rome in the West476 CE – Fall of Rome in the West

Note: Roman myth and religion was profoundly Note: Roman myth and religion was profoundly affected by Roman history and the cultural affected by Roman history and the cultural geography of Italygeography of Italy

Founding of Rome at the Founding of Rome at the TiberTiber

Iron Age “Hut Urns”Iron Age “Hut Urns”

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Settlers Wanted: Prime Location –Settlers Wanted: Prime Location –Downtown Rome - Affordable Downtown Rome - Affordable

HousingHousing