The 10 most important Roman goddesses

A review of the most important female deities of the mythology of Ancient Rome.

Much is said about the assimilation that the Roman Empire made on the culture and knowledge of the Greeks, especially as far as mythology was concerned.

Indeed, many of the Roman gods and goddesses coexist in parallel with their Ancient Greek counterparts. And the more the Romans imposed themselves in the old continent (Europe), the more the presence of their most famous deities.

Whenever we talk about the Romans, epic movies of gladiators, battles against other empires or the wisdom of Julius Caesar come to mind. However, the need to believe in and embrace mythological beings is intrinsic to the development of history. In this article we will focus on Roman goddesses and their characteristics..

The 10 most important Roman goddesses

In this article we will focus on the most influential Roman goddesses in our culture, which have served, among many other things, to give rise to many female names.

1. Diana

Diana, patron of virginity and hunting, is the daughter of Jupiter and Latona. The etymology of her name comes from her first name: Diviana, which means "radiance". What this deity represents is the protector of children and chastity..

As a tribute, women used to cut their scalp before getting married or having children. Today it is very common to hear this name in most western countries.

2. Minerva

Daughter of Jupiter also, she was born without a mother. It is said that she was his favorite daughter because of all that she represented: magic, magic, magic, magic. she represented: magic, craftsmanship, wisdom and medicine, among other things.. She is always represented with extreme innocence and wisdom, and purity, with a charming physique. Interestingly, she is also considered the goddess of war.

3. Vesta

Another of the most interesting Roman goddesses, and of which rather little is said, is Vesta, who represents fire and passion. represents fire and passion. Goddess of the home as something sacred, in her Roman temple was the famous "flame that is never extinguished".. This building housed the most important documents and archives of the Empire. Its origin in ancient mythology is not yet known, nor who were its progenitors.

4. Felicitas

Felicitas corresponds to the meaning of happiness today, inherited from the literature and fantasy of the time. Its meaning is good luck, fortune, blessed. In short, she was considered the Roman goddess of success and prosperity.and the merchants of the Empire entrusted themselves to her in order to prosper.

5. Fortuna

This is one of the most famous Roman goddesses in Western culture. Although it may seem somewhat contradictory, Fortuna initially represented the vagaries of life, and ended up becoming the personification of good luck.and ended up becoming the personification of good luck. She occupied a great significance during the Roman Empire since a temple and a public sanctuary were built for her.

6. Victory

Undoubtedly was the most important deity in the armies of Great Rome.. As its name indicates, it represents the successes of the soldiers against their enemies. The etymology comes from the Latin "Vincere", which means to conquer. Every time a general returned with a victory under his shield, an offering was made to Victoria with great parades and military crowds.

7. Venus

Venus is the goddess of sex, fertility and love.. She is the equivalent of the Aphrodite of Greek mythology, but with many more qualities than her. As a curious fact, Venus also represented prostitution.

8. Aurora

Sister of Helios, god of the Sun, and Selene, goddess of the moon, Aurora represents the radiance of the dew.. According to Roman mythology, Aurora had the function of waking up every day and from the sea, to cross the skies and pour on the Earth a good amount of dew, by means of a jug. In Spain and Latin America it is more and more common to use this name for daughters.

9. Cibeles

Who does not know one of the most famous squares in Spain? In the Heart of Madrid is the fountain that pays tribute to the Roman goddess Cybele, represented with her chariot pulled by two lions.. The city's two soccer teams bathe in the fountain surrounding the sculpture to celebrate their sporting triumphs.

The symbolism of Cybele is that of healer and protector at the same time, being another reference to the battles of Hannibal the Carthaginian.

Juno

She is the mother of all goddesses, the ultimate representative of the feminine figure in Roman mythology.. She symbolizes marriage and childbirth, that is, the family. From the sculptures that remain in museums around the world, Juno seems to have embodied a warrior and brave goddess, as her image is that of a woman with a spear and a cape of unknown animal skin, as the Roman soldiers wore.

Bibliographical references:

• Cameron, A. (2004). Greek Mythography in the Roman World. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.
• Grandazzi, A. 1997. The Foundation of Rome: Myth and History. Ithaca, NY: Cornell Univ. Press.