Today we are going to review 5 Roman myths that have endured throughout history. These legends often have Greek roots and simply change names.
The ancient Greeks called Zeus the king of all gods. When the ancient Romans told the story, they replaced Jupiter as the king of the gods. The ancient Greeks said that Hades was the god of the underworld. When the ancient Romans told this story, they replaced Pluto as the god of the underworld.
But they left the story in ancient Greece even though they considered Rome to be the center of the ancient Roman world.
The Roman myth tells that one day the king of Corinth was busy trying to devise a plan to solve Corinth’s fresh water problem. As this king was walking, he looked up at the sky and was surprised to see Jupiter flying by, holding something, but the king could not make out what it was.
“How strange,” sighed the king. “It’s rare to see Jupiter. He rarely leaves the heavens. I wonder what he’s up to.” The king shrugged and went back to worrying about Corinth’s lack of water. The people of Corinth had no aqueducts, or their problem would have been solved long ago.
Shortly thereafter, another god flew by and, upon seeing the king, stopped and shouted, “Have you seen my daughter?“
“If you give my city a source of fresh water, I’ll tell you what I saw,” shouted the king, and immediately a crystal-clear stream of fresh water bubbled up before him.
“Jupiter was carrying something in his hands, and it could have been your daughter,” the king pointed out.
Jupiter did not allow mortals to interfere in his affairs. When he heard that the king had accused him,he told his brother Pluto to take the king to the underworld immediately!
Upon hearing this, the king said to his wife, “When they tell you that I am dead, do not place a gold coin under my tongue.” And being a good wife, she did exactly as the king had asked.
After this, Pluto himself met the king at the River Styx, the entrance to the underworld. Because no gold coin had been placed under his tongue, the king arrived at the entrance to the underworld as a poor beggar.
“Where is your gold coin?” Pluto demanded to know.“How can you pay for a trip across the River Styx and reach the underworld?“
The king bowed his head in shame and said, “My wife was too poor to pay the fare.”
Pluto’s mouth opened and he said, “Go back there and teach the women some manners.” And so Pluto sent the king back to earth immediately, where he was magically alive.
4. Ceres, the goddess of the harvest
Roman myths tell that Jupiter was king of all the Roman gods and had three sisters. Juno, his wife and sister, was the goddess of marriage and queen of all the gods. Vesta was another of his sisters and was a goddess much loved by the women of Rome. She was considered the goddess of the home.
And his third sister, named Ceres, was in charge of the harvests. It is said that if Ceres was upset, the crops could die. All gods and mortals worked hard to keep Ceres happy, although the only thing that made her happier was enjoying the company of her daughter Proserpina.
Apollo offered Cassandra a deal. He would give her a very special gift, the gift of prophecy and the ability to see the future, if she would kiss him, but the priestess thought it was too much. With a laugh, Apollo gave her his gift, and instantly Cassandra could see the future.
In her vision, she saw the god Apollo helping to destroy Troy. When Apollo leaned down to kiss her gently, she spat furiously in his face. Apollo was furious and could not take back his gift.
In return, Apollo cursed her, and although Cassandra could see the future, no one would believe her. This was the curse added to her gift. When the priestess begged the people of Troy to beware of the wooden horse, no one believed her.
