Mean Gods part 2: Placating the Divine

Mean Gods part 2: Placating the Divine

The primary goal of Roman pagan worship was not love or devotion but appeasement—a constant effort to placate, mollify, and satisfy the often hostile gods and goddesses who ruled the world. The Romans believed their deities actively intervened in human affairs, rewarding devotion and punishing negligence. Mortals who disrespected or angered them could expect swift retribution, from personal misfortunes like illness, death, and financial ruin to …