Mean Gods part 2: Placating the Divine

 

The primary goal of Roman pagan worship was not love or devotion but appeasement—a constant effort to placate, mollify, and satisfy the often hostile gods and goddesses who ruled the world. The Romans believed their deities actively intervened in human affairs, rewarding devotion and punishing negligence. Mortals who disrespected or angered them could expect swift retribution, from personal misfortunes like illness, death, and financial ruin to large-scale disasters such as plagues, earthquakes, and military defeats (see Mean Gods I).

Keeping the Gods on Your Side

Warding off divine wrath required a continual cycle of rituals, sacrifices, and prayers designed to keep the gods appeased. Roman religion was rooted in demonstrative acts—what a person believed was inconsequential. The gods were not omniscient; they responded to what they saw. A well-performed sacrifice or public display of piety mattered far more than personal faith.

Ignoring the gods was unthinkable. But there were also incentives—Romans believed that acts of virtue, devotion, and bravery could earn divine favor. Many myths tell of mortals rewarded for their faithfulness:

• The Elderly Couple and the Gods in Disguise – When Jupiter (Zeus) and Mercury (Hermes) visited a village disguised as beggars, only an elderly couple, Baucis and Philemon, welcomed them with kindness. As a reward, the gods spared them from a devastating flood and granted their wish to die together, transforming them into intertwined trees upon their passing.
• Croesus and the Oracle of Delphi – The Lydian king Croesus was a lavish patron of Apollo’s temple at Delphi, donating immense treasures. In return, the god granted him prophetic insights—though Apollo’s cryptic messages would later lead to Croesus’s downfall.
• Pygmalion’s Divine Love – The sculptor Pygmalion, dissatisfied with mortal women, created an ivory statue of his ideal bride. So moved by his devotion, Venus (Aphrodite) brought the statue to life, granting him both love and prosperity.

A Life of Constant Worship

Unfortunately, if you were living two thousand years ago, you did not have to worry about just three or four mean gods—you had thousands to venerate and appease. Every aspect of life was governed by deities, from major gods like Jupiter and Mars to minor spirits who protected crossroads, doors, grain stores, and even drains.

Religious duty extended beyond personal acts. Town councils, guilds, government officials, and emperors all played their part in demonstrating piety (pietas) toward the gods through public rituals and grand temple offerings. Failing to honor any one of these temperamental deities could bring misfortune.

Next month, find out how an ordinary Roman managed this never-ending devotion beginning at home.