Judith A.

Holloway
TS 472 B
Final Paper

Analysis of Roman and Greek Cultural Differences – It’s All in the Gods

Greek and Roman cultures have many similarities as well as differences. The

critical importance of these two cultures to the formation of current western civilization is

a widely held view in our world today. Usually the Roman culture is seen as more

practically oriented than the Greek culture. When we think of ancient roman civilization

we think of roads and baths and conquered people and territory. When we think of

ancient Greek or Hellenistic civilization we envision Socrates and the great writings of

Homer and Sophocles and scientists like Aristotle and other well known philosophers.

This is not to say that ancient Romans didn’t have their great writers such as Ovid or

Vergil; but, for many the broad range and scope of philosophical thought demonstrated in

Hellenic culture seems to surpass their Roman counterparts.

Is it possible that “It’s All in the Gods”? This paper will examine the different

roles played by the gods in Greek and Roman society to try to determine whether the

gods that were worshipped by each culture support the common view of the two cultures.
1

Aeneas the founder of Roman culture according to “The Aeneid” by Vergil 2 was

the son of Venus. Variations in the role and characteristics of Venus in Roman culture

and Aphrodite in Greek culture may shed some light on the differences in the two

cultures.

The founding of Rome was promised by the gods, the founding of Greece does

not appear to be linked to a specific god or goddess. It points to the creation of Rome as

1
Buxton, Richard The Complete World of Greek Mythology Thames & Hudson 2006 pages 216 -218
2
The Aeneid Vergil Barnes & Noble Classics Christopher Pearse Cranch 2007

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Analysis of Roman and Greek Cultural Differences – It’s All in the Gods

“manifest destiny”. When you know that god is on your side how does that effect how

you interact with others? Obviously for the Romans it gave them the goal to take over as

much of the ancient world as possible.

The stories of Venus versus Aphrodite speak to the differences in Venus ruling

both Taurus and Libra. Taurus is an earth sign and fixed. Its symbol is the bull. It is

often characterized as stubborn and headstrong. It also is the sign that represents the

spring as well as nature and the sensual joys of just being alive. Libra on the other is a

cardinal air sign. This sign is represented by the scales which represent its balance point

location on the seventh house. Libra is perceived as being elegant, intellectual and
3 4
artistic. Addressing the differences between these two roles of Venus when we

compare and contrast ancient Greek and Roman cultures helps to highlight the difference

in orientation of the two cultures.

Hesiod states that Aphrodite had her origins in the following: “Her gods and men

call Aphrodite, and the foam-born goddess and rich-crowned Cytherea, because she grew

amid the foam and Cytherea because she reached Cythera and Cyprogenes because she

was born in billowy Cyprus and Philommedes because she sprang from the members.” 5

In Roman culture “Venus” started out more simply as the goddess of gardens and

fields. Primarily Venus was a fertility goddess. Only later as Roman culture took on the

surface characteristics of Greek civilization did she become identified with Aphrodite, the

3
Libra (astrology)," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
4
"Taurus (astrology)," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
5
The Theogony of Hesiod translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White [1914]

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Final Paper

Analysis of Roman and Greek Cultural Differences – It’s All in the Gods

Greek goddess of love and beauty. In imperial times Venus “was worshiped under

several aspects. As Venus Genetrix, she was worshiped as the mother of the hero Aeneas,

the founder of the Roman people; as Venus Felix, the bringer of good fortune; as Venus

Victrix, the bringer of victory; and as Venus Verticordia, the protector of feminine

chastity. “ 6 The role of Venus as the protector of feminine chastity is interesting. It may

also speak to the concern that Juno as the wife of Jupiter had about the Romans. Juno

was very much against Aeneas and tried to keep him from his destiny to create Roman

Civilization. Part of Juno’s concern might have been that Venus was usurping her role.

Looking at the origin of the two goddesses in Roman and Hellenic culture the

differences between the two goddesses are striking. Aphrodite had a complex origin

from the cut off sexual organs of heaven while he was lying with his wife earth7. Venus

on the other hand in Roman culture had her origins as a goddess of the fields and gardens.

The concept of love and beauty as an end in itself comes from the Hellenistic

tradition rather than the earthier Venus of the Romans. It does seem as though the

Hellenistic Aphrodite could be compared to the Libra aspect of Venus versus the Roman

Venus as more related to the Taurus aspect. Taurus as an earth sign and Libra as an air

sign also are supportive of the Hellenistic culture as more intellectual while the Roman

culture is more practical and down to earth like Taurus. Taurus as a fixed sign also

supports the longevity of the Roman Empire while Libra an air sign is not as focused on

6
"Venus (mythology)," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
7
Ibid

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Judith A. Holloway
TS 472 B
Final Paper

Analysis of Roman and Greek Cultural Differences – It’s All in the Gods

creating a civilization that lasts forever. Instead, it let its writings and intellectual

properties speak for its longevity.

The fact that Aeneas the founder of Roman Culture is the son of the goddess

Venus also is supportive of showing that the Roman government and people had a divine

right to rule as much of the world as they could conquer and control. Since the

Hellenistic culture was at its peak prior to the Roman culture, it seems that the Romans

would be interested in showing the Hellenistic culture in a more negative fashion. The

statement to “fear Greeks bearing gifts” was a phrase that had its origins in “The Aeneid”

2. The story of Aeneas provided the Romans with a forum to show that they were more

trustworthy than their forerunners the Greeks.

Another story associated with the origins of Roman culture is that of Romulus and

Remus and its linkage to the war god Mars. Mars was the father of Romulus the

individual for whom the Roman Empire was named.8 The month of March, the month of

Mars was the first month in the Roman calendar showing the importance of Mars as a

God to the Roman people.

In the Hellenistic tradition Ares the god of war was not seen as powerful as

Apollo the sun god. Hesiod mentions the following with regard to Ares “(ll. 933-937)

Also Cytherea bare to Ares the shield-piercer Panic and Fear, terrible gods who drive in

disorder the close ranks of men in numbing war, with the help of Ares, sacker of towns:

and Harmonia whom high-spirited Cadmus made his wife. “5 Here Aphrodite’s other

8 Mars (mythology)," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007

http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

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Analysis of Roman and Greek Cultural Differences – It’s All in the Gods

name Cytherea is used in connection with Ares. The following reference from Hesiod

shows a view of Apollo that is consistent with his role in Hellenistic culture “For it is

through the Muses and far-shooting Apollo that there are singers and harpers upon the

earth;”5.

The Romans emphasis on the war god Mars in their culture is consistent with their

goal to focus their culture on practical manners of commerce rather than the arts and

sciences. Their interest in science was not so much in science for itself but rather science

as a means to an end.

The Romans culture emphasized the role of Vesta whose Greek counterpart was

not so well known Hestia. 9 Hestia was the eldest sister of Zeus and there are no known

myths found about her. Vesta on the other hand played an important role in Roman

culture again emphasizing the Taurus aspects of Rome. Taurus as a sign does rule the

second house of property. 4. In Mundane astrology the second house of Taurus”rules a

nation’s wealth and revenues”. 10

There was a public shrine to Vesta in the Forum at Rome. Every home on Rome

had an altar to Vesta with a fire. The fire in the shrine to Vesta was said to have been

brought by Aeneas from Troy. The fire in the shrine represented the safety of the city.

Special vestal virgin priestess’ were responsible for ensuring that the fire did not go out.

9
"hestia." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin
Company, 2004. 16 Jun. 2007. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hestia>.
10
Gettings, Fred The Arkana Dictionary of Astrology Penguin 1985

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Analysis of Roman and Greek Cultural Differences – It’s All in the Gods

It was a great honor to serve as a vestal virgin for a term of 30 years. Vestalia a festival
11 12
to Vesta was held every year in early June.

Minerva as a Roman goddess is thought to have started out as Menrva an Etruscan

goddess who was then taken over by the Romans and the characteristics of Athena were

then attributed to her. 13 Minerva may not have played as large a role in Roman culture

due to the presence of the city goddess of Rome, Roma. Roma took on many of the
14
attributes of Athena in Roman culture. In Greek mythology Athena was the goddess of

wisdom, war, arts and industry. She was born out of the head of Zeus. Athena was the

daughter of Metis the first wife of Zeus the goddess of wisdom. He swallowed her in

order to protect himself from the birth of a son who would kill him like he killed his

father Kronos.

The association of olive trees with Athena came about due to her gift to a city so

that it would be named for her Athens. 15 Here again, one of Greece’s major cities was

name for a woman goddess Athena associated with wisdom, skill and justice the Libra

association of the scales. Although Athena was associated with war she was also

associated with wisdom. This is far different than the Roman founding god Mars where

the emphasis was on his warrior nature.

11 Vesta (mythology)," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2007

http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2007 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
12 Outlines of Roman History by William C. Morey, Ph.D., D.C.L New York, Cincinnati, Chicago:
American Book Company (1901).
13 "Minerva." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online.
<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/menrva.html> [Accessed June 16, 2007].
14
Roman Gods Goddesses and Heroes from Roman Coins http://dougsmith.ancients.info/gods.html
15 "Athena." Encyclopedia Mythica from Encyclopedia Mythica Online.
<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/athena.html>
[Accessed June 16, 2007].

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Judith A. Holloway
TS 472 B
Final Paper

Analysis of Roman and Greek Cultural Differences – It’s All in the Gods

The Greeks mention a goddess Hecate who does not seem to have an equivalent

role in Roman culture. She is mentioned in Hesiod as follows: “Hecate whom Zeus the

son of Kronos honoured above all. He gave her splendid gifts, to have a share of the

earth and the unfruitful sea. She received honour also in starry heaven, and is honoured

exceedingly by the deathless gods. For to this day, whenever any one of men on earth

offers rich sacrifices and prays for favour according to custom, he calls upon Hecate.

Great honour comes full easily to him whose prayers the goddess receives favourably,

and she bestows wealth upon him; for the power surely is with her.”5

However in Roman culture her position seems to have been decreased to the

goddess Trivia. She is referred to by this name due to her role as the guardian of the

crossroads. Trivia is translated from the tri -three via-ways. It is interesting that into

today’s definition trivia has come to mean matters that are not important. She is the only

goddess that may move freely from earth, to the heavens, and to the underworld. In

Ovid’s stories “Arachne with the juice of Hecate’s herb” turned into a spider. In Ovid’s

story of Medea she builds an altar to Hecate to work magic.16 17

. If the Romans are as

down to earth as we have seen, it is easy to see how the role of Hecate became more

trivialized over time. The downgrading of Hecate’s position shows a significant

difference in the Roman and Greek cultures with regards to magic and the mystery of

spells and potions.

16
Ovid Metapmorphoses, Charles Martin W. W. Norton & Company 2004 page 195
17
"trivia." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 17 Jun. 2007. <Dictionary.com
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/trivia>.

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TS 472 B
Final Paper

Analysis of Roman and Greek Cultural Differences – It’s All in the Gods

Zeus and Jupiter seem to play similar roles in Greek and Roman cultures. Hesiod

refers to “Zeus, father of gods and men, by whose thunder the wide earth is shaken.”(5)

Jupiter in The Aeneid is an important deity in Roman culture. His role includes a legal

aspect as well as a supporter of government rules and regulations.

Hermes in Greek culture is the messenger of the gods as well as a god involved in

increasing the flocks with Hecate. (5) Hermes as the messenger of the gods was

responsible for bringing human beings to the underworld when they died. He was also
18
associated with dreams. In Roman culture, Mercury was associated with trade and

travel. He had a purse to represent his merchant interest as well as a caduceus. 19 Roman

culture did not appear to have Mercury take on the aspects of dream weaver but stayed

with the practical trade orientation for the god.

Apollo has the same name in both Greek and Roman cultures. This is striking

because it seems to indicate that an equivalent god to Apollo did not exist in Roman

culture. 20 Since Apollo was very representative of the intellectual and Libra side of

Greek culture it is important to note the areas that Apollo was assigned “Apollo was the

god of music (principally the lyre, and he directed the choir of the Muses) and also of

prophecy, colonization, medicine, archery (but not for war or hunting), poetry, dance,

intellectual inquiry and the carer of herds and flocks. He was also a god of light, known

as "Phoebus" (radiant or beaming, and he was sometimes identified with Helios the sun

18
"Hermes." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2007. Encyclopedia Mythica Online. 17 Jun. 2007
<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hermes.html>.
19
"Mercury." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2007. Encyclopedia Mythica Online 17 Jun. 2007
<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/m/mercury.html>.
20
Apollo Roman Views of a Greek God http://dougsmith.ancients.info/apollo.html

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Analysis of Roman and Greek Cultural Differences – It’s All in the Gods

god).”21 The Romans took Apollo completely from the Greek culture. He did not play as

strong as role in Roman culture. Mars was honored more for his might and strength in

battle and as the father of Romulus.

Our analysis of the gods and goddesses prominent in ancient Roman and Greek

cultures does seem to support the differences that we identify today between the two

cultures. Greek culture through the prominence of Apollo and Athena support the more

air like qualities of Venus in Libra. Roman culture supports the more earthy qualities of

Taurus through the celebration of Venus, Vesta, and Mars.

In addition, exploring the change in status for the goddess Hecate from the Greek

to the Roman cultures was extremely enlightening. This treatment of Hecate seems to

support Roman culture as not being as interested in the occult sciences. Some references

even refer to astrologers and other practitioners of the occult sciences being driven from

Rome.22 Again this type of action seems consistent with the Roman cultures focus on the

practical details associated with living.

Perhaps the reason, Greco-Roman culture has merged so well in western

civilization is that they combine the best attributes of Venus in Libra and Taurus. With a

merged cultural background, we have honored both the practical and intellectual to

provide for a society that attempts to balance the physical and intellectual side of our

natures as so that the scientific and mystical aspects of life are appropriately

synchronized. A further exploration of the Greek goddess Hecate, in her role as the door

21
"Apollo." Encyclopedia Mythica. 2007. Encyclopedia Mythica Online. 17 Jun. 2007
<http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/apollo.html>.
22
Greco-Roman Magic and Myth http://www.granta.demon.co.uk/arsm/jg/index.html

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Analysis of Roman and Greek Cultural Differences – It’s All in the Gods

keeper for the earth, heaven and underworld may provide our society with the impetus to

become more integrated and allow each one of us to express our own true Self.

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