CLA204H1 Chapter : Roman Mythology and Saga
Document Summary
The fundamental differences between greek and roman mythology account for the dominant influence of greek myths over native italian myths and roman legends. The italian gods were not as generally anthropomorphic as the olympian gods, about whom the greeks developed legends that they expressed in poetry and art of great power. The roman gods were originally associated more with cult than with myth and such traditional tales as were told about them did not have the power of greek legends. Many roman legends are adaptations of greek legends since the early authors were greeks so the influence of greek literature is dominant. Roman mythtology nevertheless has an independent existence in the cults of roman religion and the legends of early. The roots of roman religion lay in the traditions of pre-roman italic peoples such as the sabines and etruscans. The native italian gods however became identified with greek gods, Only apollo is identical with his greek counterpart.
