The gods listed immediately following were the Roman adaptations of the Greek gods. These had importance in both Roman mythological writing and in the Roman religion. Then we will list some of the purely native gods, who were significant mainly for the Roman religion.
Jupiter, Jove (Zeus) reigned in the Roman pantheon and defended the state, a god of celestial phenomena and justice.
Juno (Hera), the wife of Jupiter, a goddess of motherhood and childbearing.
Saturn (Cronus), the father of Jupiter, ruled Italy during the Golden Age. The Saturnalia was held in his honor, a winter festival in which masters and slaves exchanged roles, a time of gift giving and license.
Mars (Ares), the son of Juno, was a highly respected god of war but also an agricultural deity. Thus he represented two primary Roman preoccupations — farming and fighting.
Vesta (Hestia) was a lovely goddess of the hearth and of sacrificial fire. Her temple was tended by the Vestal Virgins.
Ceres (Demeter) was a goddess of grain.
Minerva (Athena) was a warrior goddess who also presided over commerce.
Neptune (Poseidon) was lord of the sea.
Dis, Pluto (Hades) ruled the underworld of death.
Mercury (Hermes) was a god of commerce and messages.
Venus (Aphrodite), originally an agricultural goddess, was the deity of love, particularly sexual love.
