The Early Roman Religion

            The deities that the ancient Romans created and believed in were used as a tool in explaining the nature phenomena around them. The Greeks introduced to the Romans the belief in many gods who had domain over certain aspects of the world. By creating a pantheon of goddesses and gods the Romans created a nation that was polytheistic and consisted of rituals that had a great influence on Rome (Roman, Carr, Religion).

            The influence from the Greeks impacted Rome with a variety of gods that claimed some aspect of the world. The major difference between the Greek and the Roman gods were their names and often the stories behind them. With each god came the responsibility for mortals to worship them. In return, for worshiping the gods the Romans believed that they would be blessed as individuals and as a nation. The various gods consisted of characters that were created by humans to justify their impure and lustfully actions. The most prominent gods that the Romans created were the twelve high deities  (Roman, Religion).

            Numerous gods were responsible for different areas of life. The most well known gods from the twelve include Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Neptune. Jupiter is similar in many ways to his Greek counterpart, Zeus. Both were rulers over the other gods and also had domain over the sky. Jupiter is comely portrayed with a lightning bolt. Venus the goddess of love is known by the Greeks as Aphrodite. The Romans asked Venus to grant them success in finding love. Mars, also known as the Greek Ares, is god of war. The Romans would pray to Mars when wanting success in battle. Mars is also known in the Roman legend as the father of the twins, Romulus and Remus. Finally, Neptune the god of the sea is also known as Poseidon by the Greeks. The Romans prayed to Poseidon for a safe trip when traveling by sea. Because each god or goddesses controlled a unique aspect of mortal life, each was praised at different times. The various festivals to praise the gods took place throughout the year ( Carr, Roman).

            As a symbol, of their faith the Romans gave praise to the gods by holding festivals. At these festivals each god or goddesses would be worshiped. For example, at the festival of Matronalia Juno, the wife/ sister of Jupiter was celebrated every march first. During this and other festival numerous activities took place, including the sacrificing of animals, giving of gifts, and prayer. Oftentimes, the slaughter of animals served as a sacrifice to the gods as well as the main meal course for festival goers. Furthermore, gifts of small coins were given to the gods near the sacrificed animal. Prayer had to be done properly, with head looking towards heaven and palms upward, or the gods would reject their request. Essential, the festivals were a time that all Romans could join together and give praise to the gods (Bassette, Carr).

            The Roman state religion led its society to having a relationship between gods and man based on a contract of mortal deeds to gain heavenly favor, rather than a promise of mutual love. The many prayers, gifts, sacrifices and other rituals were tools in keeping the gods happy, so that they might hold up their end of the bargain. If worshiping was done improperly, the gods would simply reject the mortal prayers of requests and desires. Simply stated, if neither gods nor humans gained anything of significant value from each other, there appears be no point to their religion.

           

Roman Architecture

Roman Architecture

           

            The Romans excelled in creating an empire that was architecturally designed with beauty and practicality. The foundation of their inventions was greatly influence by the Greeks. Through the Greeks fundamental Architecture the Roman’s mastered the skill in expanding architecture that impacted Roman culture. Among the vast Architecture that the Romans constructed during the first century were the beautiful arches, domes, and two innovative Column’s that stand as a testimony to Rome’s leadership (Roman, Martin).   

            The beautiful well constructed Roman Arches provided new and elegant buildings. Concrete provided a base that was fundamental in creating a structure such as the Arch. The arch was constructed in a manner were the weight had to be perfectly placed on the keystone (located in the middle of an arch). As a result of arches, aqueducts, bridges, and buildings flourished into existence. The base of the arch provided the structural foundations for both aqueducts and brides in which transportation of water and people became safer and easier. The most prominent building that was construction with an arch was the Colosseum in which the whole outer circle was created with Arches.  Besides the arches which excelled throughout Rome was the dome (Carr, Martin, History, MacKenzie).

            The Roman’s crafted magnificent domes that had one key purpose, to expand space. Before the Dome's space was limited but after space multiplied. The dome opened up the space of a building by providing a structure in which the ceiling was pushed out. The construction of the dome had to be precise. The collections of arches that formed the dome were held in place by gravity. The collapse of a dome only resulted when buttresses which transferred weight to ground were unevenly placed. The pantheon, a temple to the gods, testifies to one of the most beautiful domes that Rome achieved. The hundred and forty two height of the dome further opened the space and with the oculus light the interior is stunning. The construction of domes allowed interior space to multiply and with the production of the Roman columns Rome’s beauty continued

(Carr, Martin, History, MacKenzie).

            The Romans further expanded when adding two columns, Tuscan and Composition, to the previous three Greek columns, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian . The Tuscan and Composition Columns were publicly displayed all around Rome. The Tuscan Column resembled the Doric Column but consisted of a base. on the other hand, the Composition Columns appeared to be the Ionic and Corinthian combined. However, the leafs that were on the Corinthian were replaced with volutes. An example of a Composition column is seen on the beautiful Arch of the Titus. Both columns provided a firm structure and provided Rome with elegant to structures (Martin, Roman).

            The Romans brilliantly expanded an empire that grew to excel architecturally through arches, domes, and columns. A clear powerful empire can be drawn from the impressive Architecture remains. To this day the architectural achievements of the Romans are admired. Many modern building including the United States Capital has been modeled after the Romans Architectural achievements (History, MacKenzie, Martin).