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Table of Contents
Neptune is the Roman god of the freshwater, sea, storms, and winds, and horses. He is one of the sons of Saturn and brother to Jupiter and Pluto.
See the fact file below for more information on Neptune, or you can download our 26-page Neptune worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
ORIGIN OF NEPTUNE
- According to Roman Mythology, Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture, swallowed Neptune and his siblings out of fear that they would grow stronger than him.
- Neptune and his brothers were vomited up when Saturn took an emetic, thanks to Ops, the Roman goddess of the earth and fertility, who did everything in her power to save her offspring.
- The brothers Neptune, Jupiter, and Pluto were said to have drawn lots to determine which region of the world they would govern. Jupiter chose the sky and heavens, Neptune the sea, and Pluto the underworld.
- Another legend claims that after becoming ruler of the gods, Jupiter bestowed honors upon each of the gods.
- Neptune was primarily devoted to Jupiter, his brother, although on one occasion, he plotted with Juno and Minerva to overthrow and imprison him. Jupiter punished him and banished him to the sea for this disobedience.
ROLE OF NEPTUNE
- Neptune is known as the Roman deity of all seas, wind-bringers, as well as the controller of storms.
- He was also referred to as Neptunus equestris and revered as a god of horses, horsemanship, and the sport of horse racing, a widely known form of entertainment for the ancient Romans
- It is debatable whether the name “Neptune” derives from Indo-European roots. There are two candidates, both of whom have compelling arguments.
- One was the term “neptu-,” meaning “moist or wet,” which, if it were the basis of Neptune’s name, would directly translate as “the moist one,” in keeping with Neptune’s control of water.
- The other term, nebh-, is translated as “cloud, mist, or fog.”
- In contrast to Oceanus, the god of the vast river that was thought to circle the globe in classical antiquity, Neptune was originally a minor deity in the Roman pantheon, in charge of fresh water and irrigation.
- Neptune’s standing among the other gods was substantially improved when he was linked to the Greek god Poseidon in 399 BCE. Neptune thus assumed control over the sea and everything associated with it.
- Neptune is said to have held a special place in Roman culture because he belonged to a group of deities that included Mars, Janus, Jupiter, and Saturn.
- The Romans were said to believe that these deities were the ancestors of those who were directly responsible for the development of Roman civilization.
- The ancient Romans credited Neptune with creating horses. Cecrops, the fabled ruler of Attica, built the city, and Neptune and Minerva fought for the right to name it.
- The gods decreed that whoever produced the most valuable invention for humanity could name the city.
- The first horse of its sort was born when Neptune smashed the ground with his trident while Minerva ordered a lovely olive tree to emerge from the dirt.
- In the end, the gods chose the olive tree over the horse because they thought it would be more useful.
- As a result, Minerva was sent to guard the city. But the beautiful horse persisted, and eventually, there were many more horses on the planet. Humanity learned how to ride them from Neptune, who also taught them how to construct chariot race tracks.
RELATIONS WITH OTHER GODS
- Among the most important deities in the Roman pantheon were Neptune’s siblings. He had two brothers: Pluto, the god of the underworld and wealth, and Jupiter, the supreme ruler of the gods.
- His sisters were Juno, the goddess of marriage, family, and domestic harmony; Vesta, the goddess of the hearth and home; and Ceres, the goddess of agriculture and cereals.
- Apparently, Neptune was wedded to Salacia, a female sea deity revered as the saltwater goddess. Along with Benthesikyme, they also had several children named Triton, Rhodes, Proteus, and Triton.
- Nevertheless, Neptune, like his brother Jupiter, had numerous child-bearing relationships. When the goddess Ceres took the guise of a horse, he made love to her, and she gave birth to a foal named Arion, who would occasionally drive his father’s chariot across the water.
- On the other hand, the sea nymph Amphitrite is also referred to as Neptune’s wife rather than her Roman counterpart Salacia.
- Neptune allegedly spotted Amphitrite dancing on the island of Naxos and was enthralled by her beauty. He apparently fell in love with her right away and proposed to her.
- As a result of her relationship with Neptune, while he was a river deity, Tyro, the daughter of Salmoneus, had two sons, Pelias and Neleus.
- The offspring of Neptune and the sea nymph Thoosa was the cyclops named Polyphemus. Along with Iphimedia, he was the father of the giants Otus and Ephialtes.
APPEARANCE SYMBOLISM and POPULAR CULTURE
- Neptune was often depicted as someone with dark hair wearing a beautifully colored robe of azure or sea green.
- Virgil (70–19 BCE) claimed that Neptune had a calm demeanor, and even when angry, he had a look of tranquility and majesty on his countenance, while Ovid (43 BCE–17 CE) claimed that Neptune always wore a melancholy expression.
- He wields a three-pronged trident that possesses special powers.
- Neptune created new bodies of water, smashed rocks, generated waves, summoned violent storms, and more using this trident.
- Neptune also came to be associated with earthquakes because of his fiery temper. At the time, relatively little was known about the true causes of earthquakes.
- The Neptunalia was a municipal celebration honoring Neptune’s command over water and drainage catchments.
- The celebration was held on July 23 at the height of the summer when drought was a real danger.
- The only thing known about the celebration is that people built tents or huts out of tree branches, which they probably utilized for eating and drinking. Additionally, on this day, citizen committees could cast votes on civil or criminal cases.
- Soon after it was discovered in 1846, the eighth planet from the sun was named after the god Neptune. This was done more out of tradition than because of any particular characteristics of the planet itself.
Neptune (Roman god) Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Neptune across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Neptune, the Roman god of the freshwater, sea, storms, winds, and horses. He is one of the sons of Saturn and brother to Jupiter and Pluto.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Neptune (Roman God) Facts
- Symbols of Neptune
- Ruling Realm
- Honoring Neptune
- Neptune Equestris
- Neptune’s Wrath
- A God’s Throne
- Planet Neptune
- Kings of the Realms
- Neptune vs. Poseidon
- Neptune Summarized
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Neptune in Roman mythology?
Neptune was the god of the sea, freshwater, earthquakes, and horses in Roman mythology. He was also known as the patron of seafarers and was often depicted carrying a trident.
What was Neptune’s role in Roman religion?
Neptune was one of the major gods of the Roman pantheon, and his worship was widespread throughout the Roman Empire. He was often invoked by sailors and fishermen for protection during their voyages.
What were some of the myths associated with Neptune?
One of the most famous myths associated with Neptune is his feud with the goddess Minerva over the patronage of the city of Athens. Another well-known myth is the story of his affair with the sea nymph Salacia, which resulted in the birth of several sea deities.
How was Neptune depicted in art and literature?
Neptune was often depicted as a bearded, muscular man holding a trident and riding a chariot pulled by sea horses. He was also sometimes portrayed as a merman or a sea monster.
What was the legacy of Neptune in Roman culture?
Neptune was an important figure in Roman religion and mythology, and his influence can be seen in many aspects of Roman culture, such as art, literature, and architecture. The Roman Empire’s naval power also made Neptune an important deity for seafaring nations throughout history.
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Use With Any Curriculum
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