"Roman mythology is the body of myths of ancient Rome as represented in the literature and visual arts of the Romans."
Roman cosmology saw the universe divided into several different spheres, including the heavens, the earth, and the underworld.
The Creation Myth: The Romans had several creation myths, including the story of Romulus and Remus being suckled by a she-wolf, and the creation of man by Prometheus.
The Gods and Goddesses: The Roman pantheon was made up of a vast array of gods and goddesses, each with their own unique attributes and areas of influence.
Greek Influence: The Roman gods were heavily influenced by Greek mythology, with many of the Roman gods being derived from their Greek counterparts.
Divine Family Trees: Understanding the relationships between the various gods and goddesses is key to understanding Roman cosmology.
Legends and Myths: There are countless stories and legends associated with the Roman gods, many of which are still popular today.
Festivals and Holidays: The Romans had many religious festivals and holidays throughout the year, each with their own unique rituals and traditions.
Cosmology and Astronomy: Ancient Roman beliefs about the structure of the universe and celestial bodies were closely tied to their mythology.
Religious Practices: Understanding the religious practices and beliefs of the ancient Romans is essential for understanding Roman cosmology.
Roman Ethics and Morals: Many aspects of Roman mythology were tied to moral virtues and ethical principles, reflecting the values of Roman society.
The Afterlife: The Roman belief in the afterlife was complex and varied, with different myths and traditions associated with death and the afterlife.
Creation Myth: This type of Roman cosmology explains how the world and everything in it came into being. It typically involves the actions of gods or goddesses, such as Jupiter or Venus, who create the universe.
Genealogy: These myths focus on the lineage and relationships between different gods and goddesses. They often describe the familial ties between the deities and how they relate to one another.
Hero Myths: These stories involve legendary figures who perform great feats and are often seen as examples of Roman virtues. Examples include Hercules and Aeneas.
Afterlife Myths: These myths describe what happens to a person's soul after they die. The most famous example is the concept of the Underworld, where the dead journey after death to be judged by the gods.
Nature Myths: These myths explain natural phenomena like the changing of the seasons or the movement of the planets. They often involve gods and goddesses who are associated with elements like fire, water or the sun.
Ritual Myths: These are stories that are associated with specific religious practices or ceremonies. They often involve the gods or goddesses who are worshipped during those rituals.
Historical Myths: These myths describe historical events or figures but are often embellished with supernatural elements. One example is the story of Romulus and Remus, who are said to have founded Rome with the help of the gods.
Moral Myths: These myths are used as cautionary tales to teach moral lessons. They often involve characters making poor decisions and facing consequences as a result.
"Roman mythology may also refer to the modern study of these representations."
"Roman mythology draws from the mythology of the Italic peoples and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European mythology."
"Roman mythology also draws directly on Greek mythology."
"Potentially as early as Rome's protohistory, but primarily during the Hellenistic period of Greek influence and through the Roman conquest of Greece."
"The Romans identified their own gods with those of the ancient Greeks... and reinterpreted myths about Greek deities under the names of their Roman counterparts."
"Greek and Roman mythologies are therefore often classified together in the modern era as Greco-Roman mythology."
"Latin literature was widely known in Europe throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance."
"The interpretations of Greek myths by the Romans often had a greater influence on narrative and pictorial representations of 'Greco-Roman mythology' than Greek sources."
"The versions of Greek myths in Ovid's Metamorphoses, written during the reign of Augustus, came to be regarded as canonical."
[inferred from the paragraph, no specific quote]
"Roman mythology may... refer to the subject matter as represented in the literature and art of other cultures in any period."
"One of a wide variety of genres of Roman folklore."
"Roman authors... imitated Greek literary models."
"The Romans identified their own gods with those of the ancient Greeks... and reinterpreted myths about Greek deities under the names of their Roman counterparts."
"The Romans identified their own gods with those of the ancient Greeks—who were closely historically related in some cases, such as Zeus and Jupiter."
"Potentially as early as Rome's protohistory, but primarily during the Hellenistic period of Greek influence and through the Roman conquest of Greece."
"Greek and Roman mythologies are therefore often classified together in the modern era as Greco-Roman mythology."
"Latin literature was widely known in Europe throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance."
"The versions of Greek myths in Ovid's Metamorphoses, written during the reign of Augustus, came to be regarded as canonical."