Articolo scritto in collaborazione con i giornalisti di Eroica Fenice In the era of antiquity, a fascinating mix of myths and divinities shaped the cultural landscape that goes beyond the borders of Greece and extends to the grandiose Rome. We explore this mythological connection between the two civilizations, an evolution that manifested itself even before the Roman conquest of Greece. Rome, aware of the ingenuity of the Greek deities , began to reinterpret the protagonists of Greek mythology with Roman names, attributing to them adventures that recalled the deeds of the Hellenic gods. Thus a metamorphosis was born, transforming Greek mythology into a Roman tale through a simple mutation of names. Zeus, the celestial ruler, became Jupiter , embodying the supreme deity of the ancient Romans. Hera, ancient goddess of fertility, acquired the name Juno. Athena, protector of the arts, was renamed Minerva in honor of an Etruscan deity, Minerva. Artemis transformed into Diana, recalling an ancient lunar goddess of the Italic peoples. The list of reassignments became a patchwork of mythological adaptations: Hermes , guardian of trade, became Mercury; Ares, god of war, took the name of Mars; Aphrodite was identified as Venus, an ancient Italian deity of spring. In addition to the major deities, Rome also adopted minor Greek deities, such as the Dioscuri , Castor, and Pollux, who fought on Rome's behalf in the Battle of Lake Regillus.
Un Viaggio nel mito: dalla Grecia all'Impero Romano
Articolo scritto in collaborazione con i giornalisti di Eroica Fenice In the era of antiquity, a fascinating mix of myths and divinities shaped the cultural landscape that goes beyond the borders of Greece and extends to the grandiose Rome. We explore this mythological connection between the two civilizations, an evolution that manifested itself even before the Roman conquest of Greece. Rome, aware of the ingenuity of the Greek deities , began to reinterpret the protagonists of Greek mythology with Roman names, attributing to them adventures that recalled the deeds of the Hellenic gods. Thus a metamorphosis was born, transforming Greek mythology into a Roman tale through a simple mutation of names. Zeus, the celestial ruler, became Jupiter , embodying the supreme deity of the ancient Romans. Hera, ancient goddess of fertility, acquired the name Juno. Athena, protector of the arts, was renamed Minerva in honor of an Etruscan deity, Minerva. Artemis transformed into Diana, recalling an ancient lunar goddess of the Italic peoples. The list of reassignments became a patchwork of mythological adaptations: Hermes , guardian of trade, became Mercury; Ares, god of war, took the name of Mars; Aphrodite was identified as Venus, an ancient Italian deity of spring. In addition to the major deities, Rome also adopted minor Greek deities, such as the Dioscuri , Castor, and Pollux, who fought on Rome's behalf in the Battle of Lake Regillus.