Religion+-+Roman+Paganism

=**Roman Paganism**=

Roman Paganism was the only accepted religion in the Roman Empire. Although the Romans let conquered countries use their own religion, actual Romans were all Pagans. Their mythology was “borrowed” from the Greeks.
 * Origin Of Roman Paganism**

When the Romans took over the Greek gods, they changed it a little. Firstly the gods have different names but still the same character. For instance, Zeus was called Jupiter but was still the King of the Gods. Also Romans took deities from the Egyptians and the Middle East as the Empire grew larger.
 * Alterations To The Mythology**

The Romans also worshiped vague beings called //Numina//. They were not thought to have shape or form. The most famous Numinus was Janus, a two faced 'god.' He was depicted as having a face of a young man and an old man. He was the representative of both sides of a door, the begin and end of an endeavor. He was also the God of the Heavens, opening and closing the gates of heaven.
 * Numina and Janus**

The world began as nothing. Only Uranus and Rhea were existent. Together they created the Titans. The ruler of the Titans was Kronos (also known as Father Time). Kronos heard of a prophecy that one of his children will overthrow him. To solve this problem, he ate all his children when they were born. Rhea, the mother of the children, one day devised a plan to stop Kronos from eating the children. She hid the newborn child and gave a blanket covered rock instead. Kronos swallowed it so quickly he didn’t notice it was a rock. The child grew up as Zeus. When he was old enough he became Kronos’ wine carrier not knowing it was his son he accepted Zeus’ offer. The next day instead of giving wine, he gave Kronos a potion that made him regurgitate his eaten children. Grown up in his stomach, they waged a war with Kronos. In the end Kronos lost and the gods ruled with Zeus as king. Working together they created man and woman to inhabit the earth. Also fire was given to them so they could cook food and stay warm.
 * Roman Pagans' Creation Myth**