Based on your textbook readings, compare and contrast the myths of the Greeks and the myths of the

Romans. What connections do the Romans make to the Greeks? Discuss using specific examples.
The myths of the Greek and Romans mirror each other in different way. This is because the Romans
adapted their Gods from Greek mythology, this caused them to have the same Gods yet they are named
different. These similarly mirrored characters often have different traits, for example in Roman
mythology Cupid who is the god of love mirrors the Greek God Eros who is the Greek's God of love.
On the same note Ares who is the god of war for the Greek, Mars is the martial fertility God.
Comparing and contrasting the two we see the story of the Gods in Greek mythology told by a
collection of stories and myths along with their heroes and their civilization/community. Whereas in
Roman mythology, we are told about the Gods in the city of Ancient Rome and their mythological
beliefs. In terms of the time period the Romans came 1000 years after the greeks, this is why we see so
much influence on Roman mythology from the Greeks. The Greeks primary source for their mythology
involves the Illiad which was a book similar to the bible for the christians which stories and poems
about the Gods themselves. We also know about Theogony which was written by Hesiod 700 B.C. That
contains poems about the origin and genealogies of the Greek gods. As to where Greek mythology
originated is not known, but as for the Romans, we know they borrowed from the Greeks and created
their own version of the myths. On the same note and mentioned above, Gods/Deities in Roman
mythology were named based on objects, where as Greek Gods and Goddesses we're named after their
personality, their speciality or what their role was in life. For example Zeus was known as the god of
Sky weather and Poseidon was known for the sea, his horses and his ability to create earthquakes.
Greeks focused heavily on the current life on earth while the Romans we're focused on the life after
earth. Similarly to christians/catholics, if you do good you will be rewarded with a place in heaven in
the afterlife. Another big difference was the form of the Gods themselves, in Greek gods they we're
portrayed as beautiful beings, similar to how we consider humans today to be gorgeous or good
looking. However in Roman Gods did not have any specific appearance and were represented based on
the imaginations of the people themselves.

Powell, Barry B. Classical Myth: 8th edition. Harlow: Pearson Education, 2015.
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Greek_Gods_vs_Roman_Gods