Gods
Jupiter
Jupiter was the equivalent of the Greek god Zeus. He
is the god of light and the Roman sky and protector of the state and
its laws. He is referred to as the supreme god. The Romans worshipped
him especially as Jupiter Optimus Maximus. He had a temple on the Capital.
His temple was not only the most important sanctuary in Rome, it was
also the center of political life. Here official offerings were made, treaties
were signed and wars were declared. Jupiter was associated with the
elements, especially storms, and lightning, but he later became the protector
of the Roman people and was their powerful ally in war. Jupiter has always
been portrayed in paintings and sculptures as the most masculine, sitting
on a throne usually with a throne of lightning to signify his greatest, strength,
and power over everything .
Apollo
Apollo, was the god of the
sun, prophecy, and healing. It was believed that he rode his gods chariot
across the sky each day to give the world light. Since he was the god
of healing, sick people preyed to him. He was one of the most important
of both Greek and Roman religions, and was the god of prophecy, archery
(far shooting with a silver bow) and music, playing a golden lyre.
A fight with gigantic earth - serpent Python at Delphi gave Apollo the
seat of his famous oracle. After he slew the earth serpent, Apollo
took its place, though he had to do penance in Thessaly for killing.
Zeus twice forced Apollo to be the slave of a mortal man to pay for his
crime. Apollo's interest in healing, suggests an ancient association with
the plague and its control. In Greek mythology, He is usually pictured
as a young handsome man, since he was thought to have been human
and holding a lyre. Most of his sculptures are with his left hand raise
(where he used his bow) to kill the serpent
Mars
Mars was the Roman god of war, and agriculture (fertility and
vegetation). The month of March was named after him. As the god of
spring, when his major festivals were held, he presided over agriculture
in general. In his warlike aspect, Mars was offered sacrifices before combat.
Mars was considered the father of the Roman people. He is usually
depicted and pictured as a warrior in full battle uniform with a crested
helmet and a shield.
Mercury
Mercury was the god of trade and profit, merchants, travelers,
and was considered the Roman messenger god. Mercury had a temple on the
Aventine Hill in Rome as well as a shrine in the Circus Maximus. According
to old myths, Romans put posts with marble heads of Mercury at the intersection
of roads. Mercury is usually depicted holding a purse (for commerce),
winged sandals, winged hat, and staff.
Neptune
Neptune was the Roman god of the sea. He was not a very powerful
god, and little is known about
Neptune is portrayed exactly the same as Poseidon. him. Neptune was an ancient Italian water god whom
the Romans identified with Poseidon. However, Neptune plays a minor role
in Roman mythology. In almost all pictures, has a septor and some signifucance
that he is associated with water.
Vulcan
Vulcan was the Roman God of fire (destructive fire)volcanoes
and craftsmanship (the manufacturer of art, arms and
armor for gods and heroes). He was believed to have a forge
beneath Mt. Aetna. Since his fires were thought to be destructive, his temples
were normally built outside of the city. I really don't know why this is
the only picture that is depicted of him, because I see no real significance.
Saturn
Saturn was an ancient Italian corn god, equivalent
to the Greek god Cronos. He was believed to have ruled the earth during
a lost Golden Age. He also is depicted as a warrior, to protect the land.
Cupid
Cupid was the Roman god of love and the son of the love goddess
Venus. He was depicted as a beautiful but wanton boy, armed with a quiver
full of arrowed desires. Some of the arrows, however, would turn people
away from those who fell in love with them. Almost always, cupid is depicted
as a young boy.
Pluto
Pluto is the Roman god of the underworld. He chose this realm
after he and his two brothers overthrew their father and divided up the
world. He was first thought to be a fierce and cruel god who didn't listen
to prayers and didn't care about sacrifices. He was later believed to
be the one that puts precious metals and other treasures in the earth.
Pluto is usually depicated as a dark, picture, also sitting on a
throne.
Goddess
Diana
Diana was the Roman goddess of fertility, childbirth, and nature
she was worshipped by women who thought she gave
them easy births. Diana was also regarded as goddess of the moon
and was originally worshipped on the mountain of Tifata and in sacred
forests. Later on she was given a temple on the Aventine Hill where she
was worshipped by slaves. Diana is the mother of wild animals and forests,
and a moon goddess. She is praised for her strength, athletic grace,
beauty and her hunting skills. Oak groves are especially sacred to
her. Diana is often pictured as a huntress with a deer.
Juno
Juno was considered the Roman supreme goddess, (queen of the gods)
married to the ruling god, Jupiter was. She was the goddess of marriage,
childbirth and finance. She is supposed to be "majestical" and wore a diadem
on her head. Juno is supposed to be a guardian spirit (watch and protect)
of females. The month of June is named after her, that is why many people
consider the month to be the most favorable
time to marry. In Rome she was worshipped on the Capital hill.
Juno's own warlike aspect is apparent in her attire. She often appears armed
and wearing a goatskin cloak, which was the garment favoured by Roman soldiers
on campaign.
Minerva
Minerva, (whose name may have originally meant "thought") was the
virgin Roman goddess of war, wisdom, the arts, poetry, medicine, trade
commerce, crafts, and inventor of music. 
She is believed to have invented numbers 
and musical instruments. Minerva was the daughter of Jupiter
and Juno. She was the equivalent of the Greek goddess Athena. Ovid
called her the "goddess of a thousand works." Minerva was worshipped throughout
Italy, though only in Rome did she take on a warlike character. Minerva
is usually depicted wearing a coat of mail and a helment, and carrying a
spear.
Venus
Venus was the Roman goddess of love and beauty. She is the daughter
of Jupiter and had affairs with Mars and Vulcan. Venus became an important
goddess when Julius Caesar claimed he was descended from her. Venus was
the Roman equivalent of Aphrodite, As the goddess of love, she is the "queen
of pleasure" and mother of the Roman people. She was mother of Cupid. Considered
a nature goddess, associated with the arrival of spring. Venus is the bringer
of joy to gods and humans. She was also portray as the perfect women and
to invoke sexual arrousal.
Vesta
Vesta was the Roman goddess of the hearth. At first she was only worshipped
in Roman homes but later had a temple on the Palatine Hill where the sacred
fire was maintained by the Vestal Virgins. Venus is portrayed as a stern
woman, wearing a long dress with her head covered and a scepter in one hand.
Vesta was the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Hesta.
Ceres
Ceres was the Roman goddess of grain, growing plants and agriculture.
Ceres had a daughter by Jupiter, Proserpina, who was abducted by the god of
the underworld, Pluto. Proserpina spent half the year in the underworld (winter)
and during this time Ceres neglected her duties and plant life would die.
When Proserpina returned to Ceres in the summer the plant life would begin
to flourish. Her temple was on the Aventine hill. Ceres is usually pictured
with a scepter, a basket of fruit and flowers, and a garland made of corn.
