Isabella Carter
The influence of gods on Roman diplomacy was significant, with the Romans considering themselves highly religious and crediting their success as a world power to their piety in maintaining good relations with the gods. The Roman gods were believed to embody and personify various aspects of human life, with gods representing diplomacy, peace, war, and strategy. The Romans' polytheistic religion honoured many deities, with gods and goddesses for almost every aspect of life, from the hearth to the harvest. The Romans' diplomacy was influenced by their belief in these gods, with the worship of specific deities and rituals playing a role in their foreign relations and military endeavours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gods personified various aspects of human life | Pax, the goddess of peace and harmony, was revered for guiding Romans towards diplomacy, order, and tranquility |
| Minerva was the goddess associated with wisdom, commerce, and strategy in warfare | |
| Castor and Pollux, the twin brothers and sons of Zeus, were called upon by sailors and warriors for protection and strategic collaboration | |
| Mercury (Hermes in Greek mythology) was the messenger of the gods, known for his cunning and eloquence | |
| Janus (the god of transitions, beginnings, and endings) was often invoked before important decisions or negotiations | |
| Mars (Ares in Greek mythology) was the god of war and strategy, known for his courage in battle | |
| Diplomacy was sacred | In the time of royal Rome, all diplomatic matters were delegated to a college of priests at the temple of the supreme god Jupiter |
| The college of priests, called fetiales, acted according to a special law (ius fetiale) and officially expressed the will of Jupiter and the ruler's orders | |
| The fetiales had powers to declare wars and make peace, which was associated with special magical formulas | |
| The Vestals were a public priesthood devoted to the goddess Vesta, who was the goddess of the hearth of the Roman state and its vital flame | |
| The Vestal's dress represented her status outside the usual categories that defined Roman women, with elements of both virgin bride and daughter, and Roman matron and wife | |
| Vestals were freed of the traditional obligations of marrying and producing children, and were required to take a vow of chastity | |
| All official business was conducted under the divine gaze and auspices, in the name of the Senate and people of Rome | |
| Influence of Greek mythology | The Romans identified their own gods with those of the ancient Greeks and reinterpreted Greek myths under Roman names |
| The cultus of Apollo was introduced by the Greeks and became fundamental to Roman culture | |
| The Etruscan-influenced Capitoline Triad of Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva became central to official Roman religion |
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What You'll Learn
- The influence of gods on Roman diplomacy was two-way: diplomacy was made sacred by the priests, or fetiales, of the supreme god Jupiter
- The goddess Pax guided Romans towards diplomacy, order, and tranquility
- Minerva, goddess of wisdom, commerce, and strategy in warfare, empowered warriors with strategic insight
- Castor and Pollux, the twin sons of Zeus, were called upon by sailors and warriors for protection and strategic collaboration
- The Vestals, a public priesthood devoted to Vesta, goddess of the hearth, held considerable political influence
The influence of gods on Roman diplomacy was two-way: diplomacy was made sacred by the priests, or fetiales, of the supreme god Jupiter
The Romans thought of themselves as highly religious and attributed their success as a world power to their piety in maintaining good relations with the gods. They believed that the gods ruled all realms of the heavens and earth, with some gods evidently favouring Rome because the Romans honoured them. The links between religious and political life were vital to Rome's internal governance, diplomacy, and development from kingdom to empire. All official business was conducted under the divine gaze and auspices, in the name of the Senate and people of Rome. The senate was, therefore, the caretaker of the Romans' relationship with the divine, just as it was the caretaker of their relationship with other humans.
The influence of gods on Roman diplomacy was also evident in the role of priests, known as fetiales, who acted according to a special law, ius fetiale. They officially expressed the will of Jupiter and the orders of the ruler, with their powers including the ability to declare wars and make peace, which was associated with special magical formulas. There were 20 fetiales, and they wore special woollen robes and headbands. In the case of a peaceful settlement with another country, prayers were said in the temple of Jupiter, and peace was proclaimed.
The influence of Jupiter, the ruler of the gods, extended beyond the spiritual realm and into the military sphere. Romans regarded him as their protector in their military activities beyond their borders. Additionally, the god of oaths, Jupiter was symbolised by a flint carried by the pater patratus, who was chosen from among the fetiales and was responsible for handling diplomatic matters at the border.
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The goddess Pax guided Romans towards diplomacy, order, and tranquility
Pax, the Roman goddess of peace, guided Romans towards diplomacy, order, and tranquility. Pax, derived from the Latin word for peace, was believed to be the daughter of Jupiter and the goddess Justitia. The worship of Pax was popularized during the rule of Emperor Augustus, who used her imagery to stabilize his reign and signal the end of the civil war and turmoil that had plagued the late republic. Augustus commissioned the Ara Pacis, an altar dedicated to Pax, and circulated coinage with Pax on it, propagating the concept of Pax Romana.
The Pax Romana, or Roman Peace, was a roughly 200-year-long period of increased imperialism, relative peace, order, prosperity, hegemonic power, and regional expansion. This era saw a remarkable period of peace and stability across the Roman Empire, showcasing the influence of Pax and Augustus. Augustus's challenge was to persuade Romans that the prosperity and tranquility they could achieve in the absence of warfare were more beneficial for the empire than the potential wealth and honor acquired through risky wars. He succeeded through skillful propaganda, fostering a climate of peace that became synonymous with his rule.
The worship of Pax first came to prominence during the reign of Augustus, when in 13 BCE the Senate commissioned the Ara Pacis Augustae (Altar of Augustan Peace) to mark the safe return of Augustus from Gaul and Spain. The altar was dedicated on the Campus Martius (field of Mars), which had been used as a military exercise ground until the 1st century BCE. This hints at the Roman understanding of the relationship between Pax and Mars (war), suggesting that a secure peace could only be obtained through war.
Pax was commonly depicted holding olive branches, as well as a caduceus, cornucopia, corn, and a scepter. These symbols represented her role in bringing tranquility to the Roman Empire. However, as the Roman Empire evolved and Christianity gained prominence, the perception of peace transformed, leading to the decline of Pax's worship. The teachings of Christ emphasized inner peace and harmony with others, offering an alternative framework for pursuing peace that gradually replaced the traditional worship of Pax in Roman society.
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Minerva, goddess of wisdom, commerce, and strategy in warfare, empowered warriors with strategic insight
In Roman mythology, gods were worshipped who personified various aspects of human life, including diplomacy and strategy, which were crucial skills in the political landscape and warfare. The goddess Minerva, known for her wisdom, commerce, and strategy in warfare, played a significant role in guiding warriors on the battlefield.
Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom, was revered for her strategic thinking and tactical prowess, empowering warriors with the insight they needed to outmaneuver their enemies. She was often depicted wearing a chiton, a long tunic worn by the Greeks, and sometimes a breastplate. As the goddess of war and battle strategy, she was also shown with a helmet, spear, and shield. Minerva's association with strategic warfare brought her great reverence from warriors, who valued her wisdom and knowledge.
The ancient Romans sought to emulate Minerva's qualities, navigating the complexities of their political and military endeavours with finesse. They honoured her before battles and military campaigns, seeking her guidance and praying for victory. Minerva's festival, Quinquatria, was celebrated from March 19 to March 23, with the first day being the anniversary of her birth and a day when no blood was to be shed. The following four days were filled with games of "drawn swords" in honour of her military association.
Minerva's worship as a goddess of war and victory even began to overshadow that of Mars, the Roman god of war and strategy. This shift occurred during the later Republic period, when Minerva became the preferred deity for battle strategies and war counsel. Under Emperor Domitian, who claimed her special protection, Minerva's worship reached its peak in Rome.
Beyond her role in warfare, Minerva held other significant domains. She was the goddess of handicrafts, the professions, the arts, justice, and medicine. She was also known as Minerva Medica, the goddess of physicians. Her patronage extended to artists, craftsmen, and women, who adorned their accessories and jewellery with her image.
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Castor and Pollux, the twin sons of Zeus, were called upon by sailors and warriors for protection and strategic collaboration
The twins were worshipped as gods who helped shipwrecked sailors and brought favourable winds to those who made sacrifices to them. They were also seen as symbols of brotherhood, uniting two people even after death, and as a symbol of inequality, with one being immortal (Pollux) and the other mortal (Castor). In one myth, Castor and Pollux rescued their sister Helen after she was kidnapped by Theseus, the king of Attica. They also accompanied Jason and the Argonauts on their voyage in search of the Golden Fleece, with Pollux demonstrating his boxing prowess by killing the king of the Bebryces. During a storm, the Argonaut Orpheus prayed to the gods, and the stars appeared on the heads of the twins, leading to their recognition as the protectors of sailors.
In another story, Castor and Pollux conducted a cattle raid with four other men, Idas and Lynceus, who then tried to cheat them out of their share. A fight broke out, resulting in the deaths of Castor, Idas, and Lynceus. In one version, Castor's spirit went to Hades because he was human, while Pollux, devastated at the separation, offered to give up his immortality to join his brother. Moved by his son's sacrifice, Zeus declared that the brothers would take turns dwelling in Hades and with the gods on Mount Olympus. Castor and Pollux were also featured in the works of many ancient Greek and Roman writers, including Homer, Euripides, Pindar, and Ovid.
The influence of Castor and Pollux extended beyond literature, as they played an important role in martial ceremonies during the Roman imperial period. They were particularly associated with cavalry and were adopted as patrons by the Roman knights (equites). The cult of the twins dates back to the mid-6th century BCE in Italy, and they were worshipped as the offspring of Jupiter (Zeus) and Leda. Their iconography influenced depictions of divine male twins in cultures with Greco-Roman relations, such as in Etruscan, Egyptian, and Byzantine art.
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The Vestals, a public priesthood devoted to Vesta, goddess of the hearth, held considerable political influence
The Vestals' political influence was evident in their roles as guardians of wills and property, where they had significant influence over legal and political matters. They participated in rituals ranging from public ceremonies to secretive rituals, and their dress represented their unique status outside the typical categories that defined Roman women. The Vestals were also central to Roman religion and civic life, intertwined with significant figures and historical events. For example, they interceded on behalf of the young Julius Caesar and gained him a pardon, and their sacred fire became the household fire of Augustus, the first emperor of the Imperial era.
The Vestals' influence extended beyond the religious and social spheres and into the political realm. They were charged with the protection of sacred relics critical to the Roman state, and their duties included tending the perpetual flame in the Temple of Vesta, keeping their vow of chastity, and officiating at the Vestalia, the period of public worship of Vesta. The Vestals' political influence was also shaped by their association with powerful figures, such as Julius Caesar and Augustus, who promoted their moral reputation and presence at public functions.
The Vestals' power, however, was not without its challenges. Trials for Vestal incestum (incest) were rare but often politically motivated, and some Vestals were used as scapegoats, held accountable for civil disturbances, wars, and other signs of divine displeasure. Despite these challenges, the Vestals held a unique and influential position in Roman society, religion, and politics, serving as a symbol of the city's safety and prosperity.
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Frequently asked questions
The gods played a significant role in influencing Roman diplomacy, with the Romans attributing their success as a world power to their piety in maintaining good relations with the gods. The goddess of peace and harmony, Pax, was revered for guiding Romans towards diplomacy, often depicted holding an olive branch. Mercury (Hermes in Greek mythology) and Janus were worshipped before diplomatic missions, negotiations, or important decisions. Mars and Minerva, on the other hand, were honoured for strategic guidance and victory in warfare.
The gods associated with diplomacy and strategy were revered for their qualities of wisdom, tact, and collaboration. Mercury, the messenger of the gods, was known for his cunning and eloquence, while Janus, the god of transitions, was invoked before important decisions or negotiations. Minerva, equivalent to Athena in Greek mythology, was associated with wisdom, commerce, and strategic warfare.
The links between religious and political life were vital to Rome's internal governance, diplomacy, and development. All official business was conducted under the divine gaze, with the Senate acting as the caretaker of the Romans' relationship with the divine. The Vestals, a public priesthood devoted to the goddess Vesta, held considerable political influence. Additionally, in the time of royal Rome, diplomatic matters were delegated to a college of priests at the temple of Jupiter, the supreme god, thus sacralizing diplomacy.
