The resultant progeny of these unions were demigods like Hercules and Perseus. While Roman gods and Greek gods share the same powers and responsibilities, they have many differences. Many skeptics have struggled to try to connect these as one continuous tradition, and in so doing, have distorted or misinterpreted the basic elements of the tradition and mythology. Demigods were endowed with great strength and abilities, and they were often considered to be giants. An essential part of the classical Christian education that held sway in schools from the Middle Ages until fairly recent times was a familiarity with Greek and Roman mythology, a mastery of the history of these great civilizations, and an immersion in their literature. Ovid. ♦It gives them a deeper understanding of Greek and Roman culture (and Egyptian and European). While the study of Roman mythology tends to emphasize the major gods - Jupiter, Neptune (god of the sea), Pluto (god of the underworld) and Juno - there existed, of course, a number of “minor” gods and goddesses such as Nemesis, the god of revenge; Cupid, the god of love; Pax, the god of peace; and the Furies, goddesses of vengeance. Having said that, we think that the study of mythology (Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Norse) is still appropriate and profitable for our children when set in the proper Christian context for three reasons: ♦It inoculates them against false religion. This is a statue of Asclepius, Greek god of medicine, with his snake-entwined rod. Greek Gods Predated Roman Gods. Many early Roman authors wrote on the myths of Rome. This was an insult to the gods and potentially endangered the empire which they deigned to … If there is a Greek god, there will be a Roman counterpart. Dionysus, known in Roman mythology as Bacchus, shared his new creation with mankind and became the god of wine. Greek mythology predates Roman mythology over 1,000 years. The first major difference between Roman gods and Greek gods is the time period. Khan Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Ovid, before his exile by Emperor Augustus, wrote at a critical time in Roman history, politically and culturally.The emperor was hoping to reestablish a connection to the Republic’s old religion and a reverence for the gods. Ovid penned several works centering on both Roman myth and religion -- Metamorphoses and Fasti are … There are two distinct and non-continuous traditions related to Mithras, one coming out of the areas of India and Iran, and another, centuries later in Roman times. Go to wikipedia and search for Christian_mythology, comparative_mythology, Jesus_as_mythology, or roman_mythology or on the Internet, roman religion. 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