Cicero considers it a normal epithet for Jupiter, in regard to whom it is probably a synonym for Omnipotens. Most of Mars celebrations and festivities were held in the month of March. Mars is portrayed as a warrior in full battle armor, wearing a crested helmet and bearing a shield. [8] See also Magna Mater (Great Mother) following. In the Roman world, Jovis would also overlook battles and was considered a symbol of honesty and justice since the time of the Roman Kings. This large statue of Isis is one of the six talking statues of Rome: Madama Lucrezia! During the Republic, the epithet may be most prominent with Bona Dea, "the Good Goddess" whose rites were celebrated by women. Juno is the Roman goddess of fertility and the patron goddess of ancient Rome. The goat is one of the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac. Who were the 12 Roman Gods and Goddesses? The legend as narrated by Virgil tells us that Aeneas, son of Venus and Anchises, left Troy and settled in Rome. Dogs were kept as pets, as guards, and even as hunting companions. Thanks for reading! Venus is the Roman goddess of Love and the equivalent to the Greek goddess Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. The Titans, Cyclopes, and Hecatonchires (Hekatonkheires, Hecatoncheires) were unable to escape and prosper. Pater was found as an epithet of Dis, Jupiter, Mars, and Liber, among others. Who is Hestia in Greek Mythology? 03 He has a three-headed guard dog named Cerberus. One only needs look at the names of our planets to see this: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and even poor little Pluto are all named for Roman gods. He is depicted holding the trident in most of the artworks created throughout history. Monkeys enjoy a high status here and are regarded as sacred. The other one is Pluto, who is the . The Roman deities most widely known today are those the Romans identified with Greek counterparts (see interpretatio graeca), integrating Greek myths, iconography, and sometimes religious practices into Roman culture, including Latin literature, Roman art, and religious life as it was experienced throughout the Empire. The best known of all Rome Gods and Goddesses are the 12 deities Rome shared with Greek mythology however, they were not the only ones. Sacred Gifts, Profane Uses? Her youngest, Cronus, was the only one who wasn't scared to do something about Uranus. Helmets/helms are the main Ares symbol while the other symbols of Ares include spears, shields, chariots, boars, dogs and vultures. Animal worship (or zoolatry) is an umbrella term designating religious or ritual practices involving animals.This includes the worship of animal deities or animal sacrifice.An animal 'cult' is formed when a species is taken to represent a religious figure (Teeter et al., 2002, p. 355).Animal cults can be classified according to their formal features or by their symbolic content (Thomas 1911, p . He was also the father of the twins Romulus and Remus. The 12 major Romans gods were called the Dii Consentes and their statues stood in the Roman Forum. Like his counterpart Zeus in Greek mythology, he possesses the power of lightning and thunder. Both pets and wild animals were significant to Egyptian society, from mummified cats to chariot-pulling stallions. In an article published by Kenyon.edu, the educational institution published a response to scholar Rodney Taylors paper on the relation of animals to humans in a conceptualized manner in the ethico-political and socio-political spheres. Here you'll find all collections you've created before. He was usually depicted as a bearded, crippled man with hammer, tongs, and anvil, and sometimes riding a donkey. The sacred ibis was worshipped from Predynastic times (c. 5300-3000 BC) by the ancient Egyptians. God of fire, metalworking, and crafts. He is the god of blacksmiths, forges, stone masonry, metalworking, carpenters, craftsmen, fire, volcanoes, metallurgy and sculptors in Greek mythology. Poseidon had Ares tried on the Areopagos with the twelve gods presiding. The oldest continuously run business in the world is a hot spring hotel in Japan thats been in operation since 705 A.D. That is why Poseidon was a very important god to whom they regularly prayed for protection at sea and bounties. Vesta is the protector of home fires of Rome. In origin, he is the male equivalent to Diana and used to be associated with the sun and in particular with the dusk and dawn, metaphorically the beginning and the end.
The Mercies of the Sacred Heart: Sermons for First Fridays - Part 1 Neptune is the best and the greatest god of all time, He is the Roman god of water and sea and they are very similar to the Greek God Poseidon. He is depicted in many ancient Greek artworks as holding the lightning bolt in his hand like a spear. Jupiter was chief among Roman gods and goddesses. Who is Artemis in Greek Mythology? The month March (Martius) is named after him (wars were often started or renewed in spring). Apollo / Apollo Her myth is strongly associated with that of her daughter Proserpina, taken by Pluto to the underworld and only given back to her mother for six months of the year. The eagle is his sacred animal and the thunderbolt is his identifying weapon. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign, Roman Gods vs Greek Gods: Roman deities and their Greek equivalent. He belonged to a very ancient state of the Roman religion called the Varro. 9. She was highly revered, and worshiped along with Jupiter and Juno as one of the Capitoline Triad. 2) Jupiter- The Roman god of the sky Jupiter, also known as Jove is the Roman deity of the sky. Fish, dolphins, horses and bulls are his sacred animals.
Animals of the Greek Gods - Mythology of Greece The worship of Janus traditionally dated back to Romulus and a period even before the actual founding of the city of Rome. In Roman religion, Ceres was the deity of agriculture, fertility and motherly relations. Neptune was also the ancient Roman patron god of horses and horse racing. In this culture, elephants are representative of admirable characteristics such as valor, wisdom, and courage. Additionally, he is the Roman god who leads the deceased souls of humans to the afterlife. Daughter of Jupiter, she is the sister of Apollo, and somewhat his female equivalent. [27] Varro, however, says that the altars to most of these gods were established at Rome by King Tatius as the result of a vow (votum).[28]. Vulcano and his Greek equivalent Aephestus was the roman god of fire, overlooking metallurgic art and therefore weaponry. Grapevines, panthers, cheetahs, leopard skin and the pine-cone staff known as thyrsus were the symbols of Dionysus. Vesta was the native Roman goddess of the fireplace and the six virgins tended the sacred fire, baked sacred salt cakes (mola salsa) and oversaw the care of sacred objects in the temple. As war was kind of a big thing for the Romans, they logically created a party to launch the date (around mid-March). His sacred animal is the eagle which also became the symbol of the Roman army. After Continue reading the article, Carrying on with our articles series on Greek god symbols, we will be discussing the Greek goddess of wilderness Artemis, her symbols, sacred animals and plants in todays post.
List of the Gods and Their Spirit Animals | Norse Spiritualism Ravens, wolves, dolphins and swans were known as his sacred animals while larkspurs, cypress trees and laurels were Apollos sacred plants. To glorify these treasured pets, wealthy families adorned them in jewels and fed them food fit for royalty. Caca The Roman goddess of the hearth and the sister of the fire-breathing giant Cacus. Within the home and garden, the range of animals kept as pets was almost boundless, including dogs, ducks, geese, caged birds, rabbits, hares, tortoises, goats, quail and mice. I am a classics graduate for the University of Rome, with a degree in Roman History and, specifically, the relation between paganism and early Christianity. She may have originated as a local goddess, but later became affiliated with the Greek goddess Artemis. Up next. They are symbolic of power and courage and are believed to ward off evil and bring about good luck. The Dii Consentes are sometimes seen as the Roman equivalent of the Greek Olympians. Certain honorifics and titles could be shared by different gods, divine personifications, demi-gods and divi (deified mortals). According to others, she was the mother of Faunus. The bear is one of the most powerful and most feared of the animal kingdom. The epithet Bonus, "the Good," is used in Imperial ideology with abstract deities such as Bona Fortuna ("Good Fortune"), Bona Mens ("Good Thinking" or "Sound Mind"), and Bona Spes ("Valid Hope," perhaps to be translated as "Optimism"). Ceres was the goddess of grain. The two Greek mythological creatures called Silenus and Satyr both had a goat-like shape. The mythology of Rome is somewhat more cosmopolitan than most might think, with influences gained from all across the Roman Empire. Egyptians believed cats were mystical animals, with the capability of bringing good luck to the individuals who housed them. Bull jumping, bull baiting, bull fights and running of the bulls are events where they were, and in some cases still are, featured. Here is everything you should know about the Greek goddess of women, her family, symbols, sacred animals, and plants. As such, he was one of the most important roman Gods and the embodiment of one of the two most powerful forces of the Universe: death (the other one being love). Vulcans oldest shrine was located at the Forum Romanum. Greek Nymph. The domesticated feline is one of the most sacred animals in Egypt. She is the celestial feminine principle, just like Jupiter is the celestial masculine one. 555 Angel Number Meaning And Symbolism: A Detailed Explanation, Mormon Symbols: The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints Symbolism, Sideways Cross Meaning 3 Big Differences From Other Christian Crosses, Jewish Symbols And Their Meanings: The Symbols of Judaism Explained, Greek God Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants, Ancient Egyptian Symbols And Their Meanings. Neptune is the deity of freshwater and the sea. The Romans celebrated the festival of Neptunalia on July 23 every year, a two day festival in the gods honour. Fun fact! She is often portrayed with an owl, known as the Owl of Minerva. Diana is the Roman goddess of wild animals and the hunt. Venus was the goddess of love, beauty. Equivalent to the Greek God Zeus, he was represented as King of the other Gods, several of which were described as his children. This is one of the most famous sculptures in Rome and it is now kept in the Borghese Gallery.
Greek God Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants: The Full List The first animals in ancient Roman history were the Sheep and the Wolf. His most powerful representation is by a baroque artist, Bernini, who represented him as a strong man accompanies by the three-headed dog Cerberus, in the moment of the taking of Proserpina, one of the most powerful myths associated with this god. Her father, Jupiter had swallowed the Titaness Metis, and in turn, he was left with a splitting headache. Goats, donkeys, lions, serpents, and wild bulls were also considered sacred to the god. Brides offered her gifts before marriage. The Heliopolitan myth of creation states that in the beginning there was nothing but an endless sea. And it was supposedly built from the fines Roman women paid for sexual misconducts. Being a country surrounded by the sea, a part of which was also made of islands, life in ancient Greece heavily depended on the sea and the bounties it provided.
Minerva is one of the 3 Roman gods of the Capitoline Triad. Gorgoneions, amulets with Medusa heads on them, and aegis, the magical item only carried by Zeus and Athena, which is suggested to be either a piece of clothing made of animal skin or a shield, are the two main symbols of Athena. As the city and its surrounding kingdom developed, so too did its gods soon, the immortal gods and goddesses would play important roles in every aspect of life, ruling realms both great and small while influencing the lives of all around them. Being one of the most important figures in ancient Greek religion, despite not always being at the forefront of the Greek pantheon, Demeter was the Greek goddess of the harvest, agriculture, grains, sacred law, Continue reading the article, If you are a real fan of mythology, you already know that some of the most interesting and entertaining myths involve the trickster gods. Subsequently out emerged Minerva, a full-size adult clad in armour. The Romans honoured her at the festival of Vestalia, which was one of the most important Roman holidays. In both scenarios, it is possible to draw parallels between Roman and Greek Gods and Goddesses. [12] Groupings of twelve [ edit] Lectisternium of 217 BC [ edit] Athena has been known as majestic and stern, a talented goddess who was the best at both of her domains. We are not here to give out veterinary advice, you should always consult your veterinarian. Below are examples of the god's animals as depicted in ancient Greek art and photos of his sacred plants:-1. Hecate is the Greek goddess of crossroads, entryways, and dogs, among other things. Ancient Greeks Continue reading the article, Todays post is about Zeus, one of the most important figures in Greek mythology, if not the most important. The God overlooks the solar and therefore the power of light and the alternating between day and night, Apollo in Rome was worshipped largely for his power of foresight, then for his healing power and finally as patron of music. Without further ado, here is our full list of Greek god symbols, sacred animals and plants. His sacred animals include the donkey . Salus is identified with the Greek Hygieia. The Hindu mythology even has a deity called Ganesha- the Elephant God. Jupiter was the God of the sky and his name seems to come from the ancient Indian word Djaus=light so that his name means Father of Light.
Aether (mythology) - Wikipedia The temple of Karnak in Egypt has ram-shaped sphinxes. "The All-Mother". Dogs and serpents are the sacred animals of Ares while there is no . Additionally, the Romans depict the goddess with a muscular build, adorning an armour and carrying a sword. Essential guide to the main Roman Gods: their names, symbols and festivities. Donkeys, cranes and guard dogs were his sacred animals. 2023 Symbols and Meanings - Your Ultimate Guide for Symbolism, Greek God Hephaestus Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants The God of Fire, Blacksmiths And The Forge, Greek Goddess Hera Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants The Goddess of Marriage, Women, Family And Childbirth, Greek Goddess Demeter Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants The Goddess Of Harvest, Fertility And Agriculture, Hermes Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants, The Trickster God In Greek Mythology, Poseidon Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants The God of Oceans and Earthquakes In Greek Mythology, Artemis Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants The Goddess of Wilderness In Greek Mythology, Athena Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants The Goddess of Wisdom And War In Greek Mythology, Greek God Zeus Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants, Greek Goddess Hestia Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants, The Full List, Hummingbird Symbolism, Spiritual Meaning And Spirit Animal Explained, Ask and Embla The First Humans in Norse Mythology. Hares, doves, turtle-doves, geese, sparrows, swallows, fish, shellfish and swines were Aphrodites sacred animals while roses, myrtles, anemones, apple trees, lettuces and pomegranates were her sacred plants. Juno was known as the Roman protector of women and childbirth. The Incredible Dunkirk Evacuation- in rare pictures, Elizabethan Food and Drink- Brief History & Key Facts, 10 Famous Female Warriors Who Made Their Mark On History. Fauna is an old Roman Goddess of Prophecy and Fruitfulness, with ties to the forest and fields and the animals found there. Some of them were the Roman equivalent to Greek Gods, others came from ancient Italic tribes and were specific to Rome and others were gods and goddesses Rome started worshipping after its expansion to faraway lands, mostly Egypt and the Middle East. Here is everything you need to know about Hermes, his symbols, sacred animals and plants, and Greek Continue reading the article, In the next part of our series on Greek God symbols, we will be going back to ancient Greece to discuss Poseidon, the god of oceans and earthquakes, horses, floods and droughts in Greek mythology. The simple sanctuary of Romulus was replaced by a proper temple in 294 BCE [22]
God Symbols: Mars. Symbols and Meanings of the God Mars Fun fact: each Roman God and Goddess had temples of places of worship. In fact, Turkic mythology states that, they are descendants of the wolf. She . an historic Greek goddess related to love lust magnificence pleasure ardour and procreationShe was syncretized with the Roman goddess VenusAphrodites main symbols embrace myrtles roses doves sparrows and swansThe cult of Aphrodite was largely derived from that of the Phoenician goddess Astarte a cognate of the . An Olive Tree by Eberhard Grossgasteiger. Juno Caelestis was the Romanised form of the Carthaginian Tanit. Roman god lists [ edit] Triads [ edit] Archaic Triad: Jupiter, Mars, Quirinus. Rome is a city rich in symbolism. The son of Zeus and Hera, Ares is the god of courage, war, civil order and battlelust in Greek mythology. Juno and Jovis were a celestial couple and the solidity of their relationship is considered essential for the balancing of world forces and therefore prosperity. Additionally, he fended off diseases that might affect animals, earning him the name Nomios, meaning herdsman. Artemis was also considered to be the protector of young girls until they got Continue reading the article, The Olympian goddess of wisdom and war, Athena is the most beloved patroness of the city of Athens. Unlike the god of war Mars, she is solely the goddess of defensive war. In Greek and Roman mythology, he was represented as a muscular man married to his wife Juno. The highly revered monkey god Hanuman is widely worshipped throughout India. 01 He is the firstborn of the Titans, Cronus, and Rhea. Without further ado, here is everything you should know about Demeter, her family, her symbols as well as her sacred animals and plants. Saturn, for instance, can be said to have another origin here, and so too Diana. Venus is a goddess with paramount importance in roman mythology and specifically for the roman empire. Snakes had chthonic (underworld), spiritual significance, but were also employed - along with cats, ferrets or other weasels - to keep rodents at bay. Befitting to the goddess of wisdom, owls, the birds closely associated with wisdom, are the sacred animals of Athena. Aztec Numbers Guide What Numbers Did the Aztecs Use? Royal scepters and cornucopia are his main symbols. [23][24] Of those listed, he writes, "several names have their roots in both languages, as trees that grow on a property line creep into both fields. The twin brother of Artemis - or Diana - Apollo has many associations including the sun, music, archery, prophecy and healing. The Romans believed that Jupiter favoured them most and granted them supremacy. In fact, it was believed that his mount was a chariot drawn by hippocampi, horses with fish tails that can ride on the sea. 5. Called dies pater, or "shining father," he is the protector of laws and the state, and the . The indigitamenta are deities known only or primarily as a name; they may be minor entities, or epithets of major gods. Themys, Eurynome, Demeter, Mnemosyne, Leto and Maia, although only Hera was known to be his legal wife. She is the wife of the Roman god Jupiter and the mother of Vulcan, Mars, Juventas and Bellona. She is equal to the Gaulish goddess Epona, whose cult was later adopted by the Roman army. Table of Contents Hades means "the one who presides over death." This connection between the Rome founder and Venus had strong symbolic power as associated the birth of Rome with the generating power of love. There are several different animals that are associated with Athena in classical literature and mythology. Most sacred animals are not reflective of the animal itself, but rather the god it represents. This is a list of the most important Gods and Goddesses from ancient Rome, their symbols and meaning. Helmets, swords, shields, spears, chariots, flaming torches, vultures, dogs and boars were his symbols. . He is Venus husband and often carries a hammer. She is closely related to the God Faunus; She is variously His wife, sister, or daughter. Mars gets a bull, and Vulcan a calf.
Sacred animals of ancient Egypt | Reading Museum Venus is a goddess with paramount importance in roman mythology and specifically for the roman empire.
Mars the Roman God of War | Mythology & Facts - Study.com A classics graduate and professional travel blogger, on this site I share my insider tips to help you plan your dream trip to Rome, Italy. The ancient Roman animals played a very crucial and salient role in the Roman society. You might be surprised to learn that dogs also had a special place in this country. When the felines died, they were mummified. Varro grouped the gods broadly into three divisions of heaven, earth, and underworld: More common is a dualistic contrast between superi and inferi. My name is Marta, I am a travel-loving mama born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe-inspiring unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome. Anubis remained an important god through both the Greek and later the Roman rule of Egypt. Hestia is the virgin goddess of the hearth, family, home, sacrificial flame, Continue reading the article. Ares was acquitted." Source: Apollodorus , The Library 3.180 Dionysus, the son of Zeus and Semele (although some sources suggest his mother was Demeter or Persephone), is the god of wine, wild frenzy, pleasure, fertility, vegetation, festivity, theatre, religious ecstasy and ritual madness in Greek mythology. Ancient Roman legend states that, Goddess Luperca, a she-wolf, nursed Romulus and Remus (twin siblings, children of Rhea Silvia and Mars). The Dii Consentes consisted of 6 gods and 6 goddesses. Excerpt from the book The Mercies of the Sacred Heart - Today's article considers the reasons why we should honor and reverence our Lord's Sacred Heart. In fact, the ancient Romans used different animals for different purposes. The palm tree was also sacred to Apollo because he had been born under one in Delos. The daughter of Zeus and Metis, the Titan goddess of wise counsel, Athena is the goddess of was, handicraft, weaving and wisdom in Greek mythology.
7 Animal Gods and Goddesses in Egyptian Mythology: Who Are They? Vesta, a goddess of chastity usually conceived of as a virgin, was honored as Mater. They had Mars, the god of war, the sea god, Neptune, Bacchus, the god of wine, and much more. Some Roman literary sources accord the same title to Maia and other goddesses.[9]. Following the Etruscan tradition, the ancient Romans made varied and extensive use of animals in fortune-telling, with mainly the birds employed for this purpose. Diana is the Roman goddess of wild animals and the hunt. Though it was certainly heavily influenced by that of Greece, the major gods keep their place throughout the centuries of Romes dominance. Shamans of nearly every culture have revered the wolf for its swiftness, instinctual abilities and wild freedom. Another title of Apollo is Alexikakos which means averter of evil. Goddess of beauty and love, Venus is a powerful symbol of all-natural forces of generation and birth. The Fall Of Uranus Fed up and overcome by grief, Gaia pleaded with her children to take action. Guilds and Gods: Religious Profiles of Occupational collegia and the Problem of the dendrophori, Koen Verboven 12. In many societies, ancient and modern, religion has performed a major role in their development, and the Roman Empire was no different. The month of January, the beginning of the year, is still named after him. The goddess of the Earth, nature, mountains, and wild animals Diana The Goddess of Hunting Faunus The god of the forest, fields, and plains Fauna Goddess of Animals Flora Goddess of Flowers and Spring Fortuna Fortuna was the Goddess of Fortune Janus the God of Doors and beginnings and endings Juno The Goddess of Marriage Jupiter (Jove) These Greek similarities then found their way into the Roman culture and hence many Greek and Roman gods have a lot in common. The meaning of the epithet indiges (singular) has no scholarly consensus, and noven may mean "nine" (novem) rather than "new". Sharing information and raising discussions in the veterinary community. Who is Poseidon in Greek Mythology? He. One of the lesser gods of the twelve and with no flamen (dedicated priests), he was nonetheless popular. The Vestals had the role to keep the sacred fire of the deity burning perpetually, the extinguishing of which would have brought the end of the Roman world. Animal and Human Sacrifice. A lectisternium is a banquet for the gods, at which they appear as images seated on couches, as if present and participating. Indian God. Often represented coming out of water, Represented in full armor and with an owl, like Greek Athena, Goddess of wilderness, nature and hunting, Represented as a man busy with metallurgic work, Represented as a mature woman with a sceptre, Asian and then Roman God of the light, sun and agriculture, Represented as a man slaying a bull with ears of corn sprouting from it, The ancient God of Rome, associated with Romulus, Often represented as a bearded young man, his symbol seems to have been the plant of the myrtle, God of beginnings and endings, of doors and change, A head with two faces looking opposite ways, His symbols were the 3 headed dog Cerberus and the snake, Wine, horticulture, ambiguity and theater, Represented as a hawk or as a woman with eagle eyes, The Muses, 9 Greek/Roman deities overlooking the arts, The three Graces, representing all that is beauty and grace, Juventus, the Greek Goddess Hebe, Roman symbol of youth, Aesculapius, God of medicine and health, whose work is represented by a snake around a rod, shedding his skin (symbol of renewal), Cibeles originally arrived in Rome from Crete and Asia Minor, she represented mountain life and the generating power of soil and nature, Bacchus God of wine and horticulture, often represented with grapes and vines, in the company of Satyres, Felice Ramorino Classical Mythology, Hoepli Milan, Lana and Fellin: Latin Literature Anthology.
Vesta Facts & Mythology about the Roman goddess of the Hearth These religious feasts were held in the month of February and involved boys running . In the Imperial period, it expressed the invincibility of deities embraced officially, such as Jupiter, Mars, Hercules, and Sol. The criminal offender was mauled to death by wild and ferocious animals particularly the lion. 10.
What Greek goddess had the cat as her sacred animal? - Quora The greater Roman gods are remarkably human, something that almost certainly derives from both Romes foundational myths. Wildlife was sacred in ancient times. God of War. He also had a half-brother, a centaur named Chiron. Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia the Plead and the god of speed, messengers, trade, athletics, herds, shepherds, boundaries, roads, travellers and thieves in Greek mythology. HEPHAESTUS Roman Name: Vulcan 40. Born from Saturn and Opus, sister and wife to Jupiter, Juno is an important Roman Goddess embodying feminine powers. Other Zeus symbols include royal scepters and thrones, befitting to the god of Kings, bulls, eagles, oak and olive trees. He is sometimes depicted with a crown/wreath made of olive branches in artworks. In ancient times, before Rome became a military power, Mars was an agricultural God, overlooking the arrival of spring and the victory of life forces over the dire winter.
Egyptian Animal Gods - A List - Symbol Sage She is rarely shown in her human form and is depicted as fire.
Animals of the Greek Gods - Athens and Beyond Many of the Romans' own gods remain obscure, known only by name and sometimes function, through inscriptions and texts that are often fragmentary.
Goddesses & Gods | Sacred Wicca Ares represented the violent aspects of war and the bloodthirst unlike his sister, Athena who represented the strategy and intelligence aspects of it. Eagles Married to Odin. Additionally, she bestowed upon the gift of agriculture on humans. Vulcan is another one of the 12 major Roman gods. Name: Jupiter Realms: Light, storms, thunder, and lightning Family: Son of Saturn; husband of Juno; father of Minerva Fun Fact: His supreme title was Jupiter Optimus Maximus, meaning the "Best and Greatest" If the Roman gods ever competed in an Olympic-style competition, Jupiter .