roman gods sacred animals

You might be surprised to learn that dogs also had a special place in this country. They were also used in wars. He is also known as the King of the Gods since he is the main Continue reading the article, Despite not being a flashy character or having amazing war stories or mythical tales of love under her belt, Hestia was one of the most significant gods in Greek mythology. In another, he was the father of Romulus and Remus by Rhea Silvia, a Vestal Virgin. She is the Roman patron goddess of the countryside, the moon and the hunters. The Pantheon and Sanctuaries of the Roman East. Info source: 12 Most Sacred and Worshiped Animals Around the World. Who is Hephaestus in Greek Mythology? [citation needed] The Dea Caelestis was identified with the constellation Virgo ("The Virgin"), who holds the divine balance of justice. No ancient source, however, poses this dichotomy, which is not generally accepted among scholars of the 21st century. Vesta is the protector of home fires of Rome. She . Symbols of Juno were the cown and the peacock. His other symbols are identical with his sacred animals and plants. His mythical three-headed dog, Cerberus guarding the gates of the underworld and preventing the dead from leaving is a unique symbol of his. Grapevines, panthers, cheetahs, leopard skin and the pine-cone staff known as thyrsus were the symbols of Dionysus. It is believed that he created some mythical items such as Hermes winged helmet and sandals, the armor of Achilles, Continue reading the article, Carrying on with our series on Greek gods and goddesses, today, we will take a detailed look into one of the most prominent members of the Greek pantheon, Hera. This god is often depicted armed with an arrow which makes the victim fall in love. The She Wolf, or lupa, was reputedly the animal which took in the baby twins Romulus and Remus as her own and fed them her milk. He constructed tools and weapons for the other Roman deities, and the fires from his forge were said to be the force behind violent volcanic eruptions. Roman farmers sacrificed one pig, one goat and one bull to Mars. Venus is a goddess with paramount importance in roman mythology and specifically for the roman empire. Being a country surrounded by the sea, a part of which was also made of islands, life in ancient Greece heavily depended on the sea and the bounties it provided. He belonged to a very ancient state of the Roman religion called the Varro. They are symbolic of power and courage and are believed to ward off evil and bring about good luck. Who Is Zeus in Greek Mythology? As Halirrhothios, son of Poseidon and a nymphe named Eurtye, was trying to rape Alkippe, Ares caught him at it and slew him. Remains of the temple of Isis in Rome are still visible in the city (via Labicana) in and we have at least one large statue of Isis dating from Roman times, which you can see in Piazza San Marco (Piazza Venezia). Virgil tells us that Aeneas, escaping Troy, brought his lares and penates to Italy to give them a new home and preserve and protect his family. Venus is a goddess with paramount importance in roman mythology and specifically for the roman empire. Her sacred animals were bears, wild boars and deers while her sacred plants were cypress and walnut trees and amaranth flowers. Their god appears as a pig with erect bristles and . The Romans honoured her at the festival of Vestalia, which was one of the most important Roman holidays. His main festival was called Saturnalia and happened between 17-19 December. Essential guide to the main Roman Gods: their names, symbols and festivities. Athena has been known as majestic and stern, a talented goddess who was the best at both of her domains. The Heliopolitan myth of creation states that in the beginning there was nothing but an endless sea. Apollo / Apollo Pain, Deception, Anger, Mourning, Lying, Oath, Vengeance, Self-indulgence, Quarreling, Forgetfullness, Sloth, Fear, Arrogance, Incest, Fighting, Ocean, Themis, Tartarus, and Pontus; and the Titans, Briareus, Gyges, Steropes, Atlas, Hyperion and Polus, Saturn, Ops, Moneta, Dione, and the three Furies ( Alecto, Megaera, Tisiphone ). Mars also symbolically represented military power as a way to secure peace. Hecate is the Greek goddess of crossroads, entryways, and dogs, among other things. A cow is held in high regard and is constituted as being one of the most sacred animals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism. Additionally, she bestowed upon the gift of agriculture on humans. Later she became more a protector of personal health. Ares, too, was handsome but prone to bloodlust in war, and war, unfortunately, accompanies humans. She was Cupid's mother and Vulcan's wife. [23][24] Of those listed, he writes, "several names have their roots in both languages, as trees that grow on a property line creep into both fields. Varro[18] gives a list of twenty principal gods of Roman religion: Varro, who was himself of Sabine origin, gives a list of Sabine gods who were adopted by the Romans[19]: Elsewhere, Varro claims Sol Indiges who had a sacred grove at Lavinium as Sabine but at the same time equates him with Apollo. She may have originated as a local goddess, but later became affiliated with the Greek goddess Artemis. His identifying instrument is the thunderbolt. Greek Nymph. Davies, "The Training Grounds of the Roman Cavalry,", Tatius is said by Varro to have dedicated altars to ", Marko Marini, "Roman Archaeology in Vergil's Arcadia (Vergil, de Grummond, N. T., and Simon, E., (Editors), List of Roman birth and childhood deities, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Roman_deities&oldid=1142700725, Two other deities whose names are not known, This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 22:33. . The Confucian Perspective on Sacred Animals. Juno Juno was known as the Roman protector of women and childbirth. 2) Jupiter- The Roman god of the sky Jupiter, also known as Jove is the Roman deity of the sky. A very interesting one is at the lower levels of the Basilica of San Clemente, which is also one of the most interesting churches in Rome. Fennels were sacred plants to him as their stalks were used to carry fire from one place to another. It makes for a fascinating read indeed! The indigitamenta are deities known only or primarily as a name; they may be minor entities, or epithets of major gods. The worship of Janus traditionally dated back to Romulus and a period even before the actual founding of the city of Rome. The goddess overlooked the passing of the seasons and the alternating of winter and spring. The month of January, the beginning of the year, is still named after him. [4], Grammatically, the form Caelestis can also be a masculine word, but the equivalent function for a male deity is usually expressed through syncretization with Caelus, as in Caelus Aeternus Iuppiter, "Jupiter the Eternal Sky. According to others, she was the mother of Faunus. Goddess of the hunt. In the Sumerian religion, Marduk is the "bull of Utu".In Hinduism, Shiva's steed is Nandi, the Bull.The sacred bull survives in the constellation Taurus.The bull, whether lunar as in Mesopotamia or solar as in India, is the subject of various . Animal - Snake. The bear is one of the most powerful and most feared of the animal kingdom. He is Venus husband and often carries a hammer. She may have originated as a local goddess, but later became affiliated with the Greek goddess Artemis. The Romans annually celebrated a 7-day festival in her honour known as Cerealia. Some groups, such as the Camenae and Parcae, were thought of as a limited number of individual deities, even though the number of these might not be given consistently in all periods and all texts. Her sacred plants were lotus flowers, water lilies, willow trees and pomegranates. Early examples included Terra Mater (Mother Earth) and the Mater Larum (Mother of the Lares). In some case, they maintained their original characteristics, while in others, they mixed their Greek traits with those of ancient Italic deities. In Hinduism, monkeys are regarded as culturally significant. The following groups, however, are numberless collectives. The Gallic and Germanic cavalry (auxilia) of the Roman Imperial army regularly set up altars to the "Mothers of the Field" (Campestres, from campus, "field," with the title Matres or Matronae). The Greek Gods, called Fauns were said to be half-goat and half-human. It proved to be very auspicious to barren women and those who were touched by those leather hides called Februa meant to bring fertility to those barren women. He also had a half-brother, a centaur named Chiron. Gorgoneions, amulets with Medusa heads on them, and aegis, the magical item only carried by Zeus and Athena, which is suggested to be either a piece of clothing made of animal skin or a shield, are the two main symbols of Athena. The other one is Pluto, who is the . Augustus, "the elevated or august one" (masculine form) is an honorific and title awarded to Octavian in recognition of his unique status, the extraordinary range of his powers, and the apparent divine approval of his principate. He was one of the most important figures in Greek religion as he was believed to get in contact with his believers and followers through his oracles. Roman couples often had themselves painted as the passionate divine couple Mars and Venus. Sacred Site - A cave on the eastern side of the Acropolis. The ancient Romans also used animals for the purposes of capital punishments. Apollo entered into the Roman Pantheon directly from the Greek religion and maintained most of his Greek character. Fauna is an old Roman Goddess of Prophecy and Fruitfulness, with ties to the forest and fields and the animals found there. Other Zeus symbols include royal scepters and thrones, befitting to the god of Kings, bulls, eagles, oak and olive trees. Dogs were kept as pets, as guards, and even as hunting companions. Throughout the Empire, the deities of peoples in the provinces were given new theological interpretations in light of functions or attributes they shared with Roman deities. The goat has also been worshipped in Greek and Egyptian mythology. Elephants were used to carry very heavy loads such as Obelisks or more famously Neros titanic statue, also known as the Colossus. Birds were classified into classes, such as birds which flew in groups, and those which flew alone, those making nasty sounds were considered an omen. The main Poseidon symbol is his trident, his iconic weapon. Like all cultures, they also had a wealthy and vibrant mythological background. Wild celeries and pine trees were the sacred plants of Poseidon. Janus and the nymph Camasene were the parents of Tiberinus, whose death in or by the river Albula caused it to be renamed Tiber. The twin brother of Artemis - or Diana - Apollo has many associations including the sun, music, archery, prophecy and healing. The Roman God Vulcan then cracked open Jupiters head to relieve him of the pain. Hermes is the son of Zeus and Maia the Plead and the god of speed, messengers, trade, athletics, herds, shepherds, boundaries, roads, travellers and thieves in Greek mythology. The 12 major Romans gods were called the Dii Consentes and their statues stood in the Roman Forum. Greek gods sacred animals. Juno had a special connection with Roman women, who would ask for her protection at times such as marriage and birth, which the goddess overlooked. The God overlooks the solar and therefore the power of light and the alternating between day and night, Apollo in Rome was worshipped largely for his power of foresight, then for his healing power and finally as patron of music. This extension of an Imperial honorific to major and minor deities of Rome and her provinces is considered a ground-level feature of Imperial cult. Her Greek equivalent was the Goddess Artemis. The di indigetes were thought by Georg Wissowa to be Rome's indigenous deities, in contrast to the di novensides or novensiles, "newcomer gods". He is famous for his three pronged Trident, and was said to have caused a massive flood in one Roman myth. The Dii Consentes consisted of 6 gods and 6 goddesses. Romes major pantheon is remarkably stable. Artemis was also considered to be the protector of young girls until they got Continue reading the article, The Olympian goddess of wisdom and war, Athena is the most beloved patroness of the city of Athens. As such, he was worshipped as a god of agricultural prosperity and fertility. Anubis remained an important god through both the Greek and later the Roman rule of Egypt. In 46 B.C., after the defeat of rival Pompey in Greece and successful wars in Asia Minor and Egypt, Caesar held an elaborate triumphant parade in which forty trained elephants marched alongside him up the steps of the Capitol, lighted torches burning in their trunks. A group of sacred monkeys Pigs The people of ancient Egypt regarded pigs as sacred and as an important deity. Not to be confused with, The three Roman deities cultivated by major flamens, Twelve Roman deities attended by the minor flamens, The three Roman deities cultivated by major, Twelve Roman deities attended by the minor, R.W. Bird - Parrot A number of temples were dedicated to her throughout the empire, some of which were used to practice sensual activities and licentiousness. He was accounted as the god of the sky, king of the gods in Ancient Roman mythology. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign, Roman Gods vs Greek Gods: Roman deities and their Greek equivalent. When the illegitimate Minerva burst out of Jupiters head, Juno sought to do the same thing. The name Juno is now a very popular Roman name for girls, evocative of the feminine powers of this Goddess. Venus / Aphrodite Goddess of Love and Beauty Goddess of Passion and Desire, Venus was the most beautiful Goddess. The Vestals had the role to keep the sacred fire of the deity burning perpetually, the extinguishing of which would have brought the end of the Roman world. An Olive Tree by Eberhard Grossgasteiger. Demeter being the Greek goddess of agriculture and fertility, most of her symbols are related to harvest and abundance. Pig. http://www.novaroma.org/nr/List_of_Roman_deities. This ancient deity has a unique symbolic meaning in ancient Rome: legend tells us that Romulus was raised into the sky as Quirinus. One place however was devoted to them all: the Rome Pantheon built, as the name suggests for all the Gods (Pan=all; Theon=Gods, in Greek). Befitting to the goddess of wisdom, owls, the birds closely associated with wisdom, are the sacred animals of Athena. The Romans associated her with fertility and childbirth. The Limits of Donations in the Roman Religious Sphere, Marta Garcia Morcillo 11. Without further ado, here is everything you should know about Demeter, her family, her symbols as well as her sacred animals and plants. Horses were used for transport and for military purposes. She was feared by Ares and sought after for advice from the other Greek gods and goddesses. Diana is the main Roman Goddess of the lunar light. Dogs and serpents are the sacred animals of Ares while there is no . #3 - Heket, the Frog Goddess. Mercury was similar to the Greek god Hermes, and is known as the messenger god. She married her brother Zeus Continue reading the article, In todays post, we will be examining one of the 12 Olympian gods in Greek mythology, namely, Demeter. Roman Gods and Goddesses. He was the king of gods and the chief deity of the ancient Roman Empire before Christianity became dominant. To glorify these treasured pets, wealthy families adorned them in jewels and fed them food fit for royalty. In the Roman world, Jovis would also overlook battles and was considered a symbol of honesty and justice since the time of the Roman Kings. This earned her the name Juno Lucina because her domain overlapped with the Roman goddess Juno. As the city and its surrounding kingdom developed, so too did its gods soon, the immortal gods and goddesses would play important roles in every aspect of life, ruling realms both great and small while influencing the lives of all around them. The ancient Rome animals were used to work on the pastures, for animal sacrifices, fortune telling, in marriage ceremonies, in public feasts, as part of the capital punishment, kept as pets, etc. There are several Roman myths about Mars. Most of the 12 major Roman gods identified with their Greek counterparts, they had many similarities and were drawn from Greek iconography, myths and religious practices. The main temple of Jovis in Rome was on the Capitoline Hill, one of the most important of the seven hills of Rome in terms of religion and temples. The legend as narrated by Virgil tells us that Aeneas, son of Venus and Anchises, left Troy and settled in Rome. Mercury was the god of many things including trade, finance, communication, travellers, trickery, and luck. Spirit animal is a great-horned owl. In this way, Juno gave birth to Mars. Mars is the Roman god of war and agriculture, two very important aspects of the early Roman civilisation. A goddess known as Stata Mater was a compital deity credited with preventing fires in the city.[7]. Oxen and donkeys were used mainly for lifting purposes, which may be used for plowing and tilling the land or for running machinery in the construction industry. Mercury's temple was on the Aventine Hill in Rome. This is a list of the main Roman Gods and Goddesses and their Greek equivalent. Themys, Eurynome, Demeter, Mnemosyne, Leto and Maia, although only Hera was known to be his legal wife. Even Native Americans worshiped the wolf as god, and saw it as a symbol of courage, direction, family, endurance, and intelligence. Roman God Agni. These religious feasts were held in the month of February and involved boys running out of the cave on Palatine Hill, thrashing leather hides over those who might be near them. From the middle Imperial era, the reigning Empress becomes Mater castrorum et senatus et patriae, the symbolic Mother of military camps, the senate, and the fatherland. My name is Marta, I am a travel loving mama, born and bred in that messy, wonderful, infuriating, awe inspiring and unbelievably beautiful city that is Rome. We will be examining symbols of Zeus including his sacred animals and plants as well as providing information about his characteristics, family tree, wives and children. The dog is a handsome animal, accompanying humans, which can turn into a vicious beast of carnage, and so it is associated with Ares. What was Athena's sacred animal? Hares, hawks, rams and tortoises were the sacred animals of Hermes while strawberry trees and croci were his sacred plants. The most extensive lists are provided by the Church Fathers who sought systematically to debunk Roman religion while drawing on the theological works of Varro, also surviving only in quoted or referenced fragments. Her worship dates from the very foundation of Rome and her temple used to have a central position in the Roman Forum, where it is still possible to see the house of the vestals, her priestesses. Neptune was also the ancient Roman patron god of horses and horse racing. W.H. Who is Hestia in Greek Mythology? Thanks for reading! The first temple built in her name was the Venus Obsequens. Neptune was the Roman god of the sea, similar to the Greek god Poseidon. A fragment from Ennius, within whose lifetime the lectisternium occurred, lists the same twelve deities by name, though in a different order from that of Livy: Juno, Vesta, Minerva, Ceres, Diana, Venus, Mars, Mercurius, Jove, Neptunus, Vulcanus, Apollo.[15]. Indian God. Roman god lists [ edit] Triads [ edit] Archaic Triad: Jupiter, Mars, Quirinus. 5. The simple sanctuary of Romulus was replaced by a proper temple in 294 BCE [22] Unlike the god of war Mars, she is solely the goddess of defensive war. 10. It dates back to the times of the Roman kings. Both a virgin goddess and an earth goddess, she was identified with the Greek Artemis. Aress sacred animals were dogs and serpents while there is no clear information as to what was considered his sacred plant. I hope you enjoyed this overview of the most important Roman gods and Goddesses and their symbols. In ancient times, before Rome became a military power, Mars was an agricultural God, overlooking the arrival of spring and the victory of life forces over the dire winter. Married to Odin. Frigga, the primary goddess of wisdom, strategy, war, motherhood, and queens. The Titans, Cyclopes, and Hecatonchires (Hekatonkheires, Hecatoncheires) were unable to escape and prosper. The animal sacred to Ares, the god of war, was primarily the dog. Other symbols representing Hades are mostly his sacred animals and plants. The earliest gods and goddesses are more spirits than anything else, rulers of small domains and households. According to Korean folklore, the majestic tiger is regarded as the guardian of the West and is also a divine spirit. Mercury was the youngest son of Jupiter, and his mother was Maia. The ancient Romans worshipped a large number of Gods and Goddesses. Sources for this articles are my studies and some of my favorite books about Roman religion and mythology (below). Juno is the Roman goddess of fertility and the patron goddess of ancient Rome. Serpent deities have an important place in Indian culture. 14+ Wolf Gods and Goddesses: Artemis, Odin, Apollo and More! Table of Contents Hades means "the one who presides over death." And let the main couple, Zeus and Hera be the first two we delve into. Quirinus was an ancient deity of the Sabinian people with characteristics similar to those of the Latin Mars. Being one of the most important figures in ancient Greek religion, despite not always being at the forefront of the Greek pantheon, Demeter was the Greek goddess of the harvest, agriculture, grains, sacred law, Continue reading the article, If you are a real fan of mythology, you already know that some of the most interesting and entertaining myths involve the trickster gods. Ancient Roman god of the act of sowing and, therefore, of agriculture. Copyright 2023 I Love Veterinary | It is not just a job, it is LOVE! Within the home and garden, the range of animals kept as pets was almost boundless, including dogs, ducks, geese, caged birds, rabbits, hares, tortoises, goats, quail and mice. However, the majority of the Hindu culture are vegetarians, and they view thecowto be asacricity symbol of life that should be protected and revered. Robust in stature, he is seen . Many Roman Gods entered the Rome Pantheon from Greek religion and mythology. Apollo is the Roman Sun God, worshipped as Febo, son of Jupiter and Lato. God of fire, metalworking, and crafts. This was to appease the god, and auger blessings for fruitful crops. 01 He is the firstborn of the Titans, Cronus, and Rhea. The first animals in ancient Roman history were the Sheep and the Wolf. Protector of all arts and especially of metallic work, he was a positive God of workmanship and business. "[25], Varro makes various claims for Sabine origins throughout his works, some more plausible than others, and his list should not be taken at face value. Her temple at the Forum Romanum was off-limits to all except her priestesses called the Vestal Virgins. A Greek 5th-century red-figure hydria found in a cemetery of ancient Ainos (modern Enez, Turkey) depicts what is obviously a cultic scene, probably relative to the funerary rites performed for the burial of the deceased. The month March (Martius) is named after him (wars were often started or renewed in spring). 555 Angel Number Meaning And Symbolism: A Detailed Explanation, Mormon Symbols: The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints Symbolism, Sideways Cross Meaning 3 Big Differences From Other Christian Crosses, Jewish Symbols And Their Meanings: The Symbols of Judaism Explained, Greek God Symbols, Sacred Animals And Plants, Ancient Egyptian Symbols And Their Meanings. Vesta is commonly associated with the donkey and fire. Sacred Gifts, Profane Uses? The ancient Rome society was a pastoral society and Rome Animals were of immense utility. Who is Hera in Greek Mythology? Salus is identified with the Greek Hygieia. She is also the protector of women during labour. Here are top ten most commonly worshiped animals across the world: 2/11. Goats, donkeys, lions, serpents, and wild bulls were also considered sacred to the god. Ceres was the Roman equivalent to the gree Goddes Demetra and represented the productive power of the soil, agriculture and, in general prosperity. The eagle is his sacred animal and the thunderbolt is his identifying weapon. Hestia is the Greek goddess who is equivalent to Vesta. The domesticated feline is one of the most sacred animals in Egypt. Here are some canine gods and goddesses who have been revered throughout time. Today, as we continue our article series on Greek gods and their symbols, one of those trickster gods is our guest on Symbols and Meanings, Hermes, the messenger of gods in Greek mythology. Lists of deities were kept by the College of Pontiffs to assure that the correct names were invoked for public prayers. Her name Hestia actually is literally the Greek word for fireplace. Let us get right into it. They had Mars, the god of war, the sea god, Neptune, Bacchus, the god of wine, and much more. He was also the father of the twins Romulus and Remus. Vulcans oldest shrine was located at the Forum Romanum. As such, he was one of the most important roman Gods and the embodiment of one of the two most powerful forces of the Universe: death (the other one being love). The goat is one of the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac. The Romans had gods for everything imaginable. Ares Symbol - Sacred Animals, Plants and Symbols of Ares. Animal and Human Sacrifice. At the foot of the Soracte was the precinct of Feronia. The civilization is remembered for the pyramids, the Sphinx, hieroglyphics, pharaohs and distinct afterlife beliefs. The most famous is the little owl, which was associated with Athena because she was the patron goddess of the city of Athens, where owls were said to be common. He is depicted in many ancient Greek artworks as holding the lightning bolt in his hand like a spear. Here is everything you should know about Poseidons symbols, sacred plants and animals, his family tree and myths involving him. Zeus is the god of the sky, lightning/thunder, weather, fate and kings in Greek mythology. She possessed a sacred forest near Minturnae (Minturno) on the border of Latium and Campania[8] The meaning of the epithet indiges (singular) has no scholarly consensus, and noven may mean "nine" (novem) rather than "new". The Implications of Animal Sacrifice at Rural and Suburban Romano-Celtic Shrines, Tony King 10. There is a sense that while Rome is a cosmopolitan city that is more than open to outside influence, nothing will ever be quite so grand as the myths on which the city was initially founded. The ceremony of the sacrifice reflects the Roman social order. Animal worship (or zoolatry) is an umbrella term designating religious or ritual practices involving animals.This includes the worship of animal deities or animal sacrifice.An animal 'cult' is formed when a species is taken to represent a religious figure (Teeter et al., 2002, p. 355).Animal cults can be classified according to their formal features or by their symbolic content (Thomas 1911, p . Ovid, in Fasti, tells of Mars's attempt to seduce Minerva. Sacred Animals in Ancient Egypt The Ancient Egyptians held animals in the highest regard. Her youngest, Cronus, was the only one who wasn't scared to do something about Uranus. There are several different animals that are associated with Athena in classical literature and mythology. Vulcan is another one of the 12 major Roman gods. The Roman goddess of horses and cattle. His descendants settled in Latium and count Rhea Silvia, mother of Romulus. Present. 03 He has a three-headed guard dog named Cerberus. The Dii Consentes are sometimes seen as the Roman equivalent of the Greek Olympians. A god would have many different guises, some of which might explain why that god or goddess was worshipped in one country under one name and another country under a different name. An extensive alphabetical list follows a survey of theological groups as constructed by the Romans themselves. Their deity appeared as a pig with erect bristles who kept an eye on storms, chaos, deserts, and darkness. These the ancient author Ovid and other ancient writers, who are a first hand source of information. In the Metamorphoses of Apuleius,[3] the protagonist Lucius prays to the Hellenistic Egyptian goddess Isis as Regina Caeli, "Queen of Heaven", who is said to manifest also as Ceres, "the original nurturing parent"; Heavenly Venus (Venus Caelestis); the "sister of Phoebus", that is, Diana or Artemis as she is worshipped at Ephesus; or Proserpina as the triple goddess of the underworld. In todays post, we will be delving into Greek gods and goddesses, the symbols that represent them and the animals and plants that were sacred to them and their believers. This large statue of Isis is one of the six talking statues of Rome: Madama Lucrezia! The sacred animals to him were the bear, wolf and woodpecker. Caca The Roman goddess of the hearth and the sister of the fire-breathing giant Cacus. The goddess Juno is depicted in many forms but Junos most popular form is wearing a warlike attire with a goatskin coat. It is believed that deities manifest themselves in the form of sacred animals, either by reincarnation or an epiphany. In this illustration, Mars is depicted on horseback.