| Sources of knowledge about Roman deities. What did the Romans
themselves know about them? No personal deity in the religion
of the family. Those of the City-state are numina, marking a
transition from animism to polytheism. Meaning of numen.
Importance of names, which are chiefly adjectival, marking
functional activity. Tellus an exception. Importance of priests
in development of dei. The four great Roman gods and their
priests: Janus, Jupiter, Mars, Quirinus. Characteristics of each
of these in earliest Rome. Juno and the difficulties she presents.
Vesta
| [114]-144 |