ROMAN GODS AND GODDESSES IN MACEDONIA Kocerinovo BULGARIA

ROMAN GODS AND GODDESSES IN MACEDONIA Kocerinovo (BULGARIA) 5 -11. 06. 2016 SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia

Roman religion was similar to Hellenic one. Romans and Hellenes were polytheists and believe in similar deities. SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia

Similar Gods Zeus (Hellenic religion) - Jupiter (Roman religion) Hephaestus (Hellenic religion) - Vulcan (Roman religion) SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia

Similar Gods Aphrodite (Hellenic religion) - Venus (Roman religion) Ares (Hellenic religion) - Mars (Roman religion) Artemis (Hellenic religion) - Diana (Roman religion) SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia

Unlike Hellenic, Roman religion encountered other almost divinized beings such as Genii, Larry, Penati and Manny. The Romans believed that every man and woman at birth have one genius, and it is the spirit that inspired their life and it was a personal protector. SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia

Penati were ghosts protectors of the homeland of peace in the country. Larry were spirits of deceased ancestors, regarded as protectors of arable land, at cross-roads in towns and villages. Manny were protectors of the souls of the dead. SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia

After three Roman-Macedonian wars Macedonia falls under Roman rule. Over the years, the ancient Macedonians accepted many elements of Roman religion, whereas they present today in Archaeological objects, engraved, or in the form of sculptures and also Roman coins have been found in Macedonia. SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia

Venus of Macedonia In parallel with the respect for the ancient Macedonian gods , Roman ones were respected in Macedonia, too. For example: In Skupi the archaeological site, the statue of the goddess Venus was found. SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia

Dialis of Macedonia SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia During the Roman rule, there was a confusion between the Roman and ancient Macedonian religion, but they respected ancient Macedonian and Roman Gods, or ancient Macedonian Gods received Latin names. For example: One of the most important ancient Macedonian god Dionysus was called Dialis.

Diana of Macedonia SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia In Roman mythology, Diana was the goddess of the hunt. The moon and nature being associated with wild animals and woodland, and having the power to talk to and control animals.

Diana of Macedonia SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia A relief plate has been found in Demir Kapija with Diana portrayed on it. Some artists usually depicted her as a huntress with a bow and arrows, alongside some wild animals such as a tiger, a lion, a swan and a deer.

Roman coins in Macedonia SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia Roman gods and goddesses were on almost all coins that were used at that time in Macedonia. For example: A tetradrachm from Roman controlled Macedonia.

The Roman religion and Gods tell us a lot about what the early Romans thought was important. The Romans valued family, beauty, honor, truth, wisdom, wealth, courage and strength. They were people who were building a great city and testing the courage and honor that their ancestors would cherish. SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia

SOU Taki Daskalo, Bitola, Macedonia