Living with gods

Around the Gallo-Roman sanctuary of the Gué-de-Sciaux

The Roman religion: a multitude of Gods and heroes

In the temple of the Gué-de-Sciaux (Antigny) or on the pillar of Yzeures-sur-Creuse, many gods appear under human shape with objects symbolizing their power or with animals (Mars and the shield, Jupiter and the eagle or the thunderbolt).

Those divine characters belonged to the Roman pantheon implanted in Gaul and in the other territories after their annexation to the Empire.

The origin of those gods is confused, even for the Roman people; some legends related by antic authors set them as humans. However, gods and heroes are immortal and have powers; they can act on events and control the humanity’s destiny.

The Roman pantheon included major gods living on the Mount Olympus (Greece) as Jupiter, Minerva, Juno, Mars, Apollo, Mercury, Vulcan and Neptune. Many gods and goddesses had specific functions, as Victoria, the goddess of victory, Fortuna, the goddess of destiny or Spes, the personification of hope. Hercules and Perseus were heroes promoted to the rank of gods.

This divine landscape was different according to the cities, provinces and eras. The populations of the provinces kept some of their gods and former practices as to honour some animals (stags, wild boars or horses).

Thus, a human born in the Roman Empire was submitted to this polytheist religious way of thinking, placing him under the protection of many gods: the ones venerated by the community through the intermediary of the priests and the ones he had to honour in the house, under the responsibility of the family chef. During his life, he had to honour them regularly to obtain and keep their favours.

Exhibition on the 2nd floor
Access by elevator or stairs