How the Romans Adapted Greek Gods into Their Pantheon
How the Romans Adapted Greek Gods into Their Pantheon The Romans were heavily influenced by Greek culture, particularly after their conquest of Greece in the 2nd century BCE. One of the most significant aspects of this cultural exchange was the adaptation of Greek gods into the Roman pantheon. The Romans admired Greek mythology, but they often reinterpreted these deities in ways that aligned with their own values, societal structures, and religious practices. 1. Renaming and Reinterpretation of Greek Gods The most noticeable adaptation was the Roman practice of renaming Greek gods. While the gods' essential characteristics and domains remained largely unchanged, they were given Roman names. For example: Zeus (Greek) became Jupiter in Roman mythology, maintaining his role as the king of the gods and the god of thunder and the sky. Hera (Greek) became Juno , the queen of the gods, associated with marriage and family. Aphrodite (Greek) became Venus , retaining her position as th...