In 509 BC, after overthrowing the Etruscan** regime, Rome fell into a civil war between the plebeians and the nobility, and the contradictions for power intensified again. Eventually, the aristocracy gave in to the reasonable demands of the plebeians for reform, and Rome moved from a royal era to a republican era. However, the country was not a place of tranquility, and in the midst of internal and external troubles, Rome chose the path of external expansion.
The Romans were brave and warlike, and their expansion was easy, conquering the surrounding countries and incorporating them into their territory. If you ask the Romans what contributed to their success, most people would probably answer: "faith." The Romans were very different from other peoples in terms of religion, and their devotion to God was striking. In the worship of the gods, the Romans had many ways, and the only constant was their piety. The Romans infused the material world with a rich spiritual connotation, perhaps surpassing other ancient civilizations. In my opinion, the Romans are the people who deservedly have the most respect for God, they believe that everything has a soul, and every space is inhabited by God's existence. In other words, the Romans were able to associate anything with the gods, forming a unique belief system.
The Romans' beliefs were not confined to a specific presiding god, but were widespread in every corner. For example, an ordinary Roman family with a stove, doors and windows, a well, a bed, and a wardrobe would have five main gods. In their daily lives, they worship the god of the bed when they sleep, the god of the wardrobe when they take their clothes, and even make offerings to all the gods when they get up in the morning before they can carry out their productive activities for the day. The reason why the Romans had so many gods may be similar to those of the Indians, but let's not delve into why for now, but first determine which gods the Romans believed in and where they came from.
Rome enshrined countless gods, including Mars, the god of war, Vesta, Janus, the god of doors, Jupiter, the god of thunder, Romulus, the god of Quirin, Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, Juno, the goddess of marriage, Vanacan, the god of fire, Hercules, the twelve main gods, and many more. Some of these gods were native to Rome, such as Jupiter, the god of thunderMost of them were imported from Greece, such as Vannukan, the god of fire, Hercules;There is also a category that was brought back through the conquest of other countries, such as Juno, the goddess of marriage. For the latter, why not just worship and rob it?This involves a way of thinking that is peculiar to the Romans. In the eyes of the Romans, religion was the spiritual sustenance of their pursuit of a better life, and it was also an effective means for politicians to gain political support. For Rome, the blessing of God ensured the peace and stability of the countryFor Roman citizens, adhering to religious traditions ensured their safety. The Romans were not only required to worship the gods, but also had specific sacrificial days. For example, on the first day of the third month of the Roman calendar, the beginning of the Roman New Year, the holy women rekindle the sacred fire of the Temple of Vesta, and on the same day there is a grand celebration in tribute to Mars, the god of war. On April 15, the day the Romans began to sow seeds, offering cows to Truss, the god of the land, and Cres, the god of grain. October 19 is a day in honor of Romulus, the founder of the country, and is an important moment for the Romans to remember. December 17-24 is the Saturnalia festival, the 17th of which is the beginning of the celebrations, where the Romans prayed to the god of agriculture for good luck in the coming year and carried out a series of entertainments. During this time, people gave gifts to each other, candles were lit at night, gambling was even allowed in public places, and slaves were given special care by their masters.
No matter how many gods there were in Rome and how many sacrifices there were, we must recognize the fact that religion is a spiritual reflection of politics, and politics is the expression of religion in reality. The religious beliefs of the Romans were the pursuit of a better life and the embodiment of political power.