Who Was Supposed to Keep Pompeii Safe?

by V. Wheeler

            The people of Pompeii believed in many Gods, and these Gods were supposed to protect them. We do not know what caused these Gods to turn on them and cause the eruption of Vesuvius, but it does not hurt to go back and see who these Gods were. But, of course, we must see who their chief Gods were to know who exactly they angered;

Janus- this God has two faces, one regarding what is behind and the other looking toward what lies ahead. Therefore, Janus is symbolizes contemplation on what occurred in an old year while looking forward to the next year. Some sources claim that Janus is characterized in such a strange fashion due to the fact that doors and gates look in two different directions. Thus, the God could look both backward and forward at the same exact time. Janus is portrayed with one bearded face and the other a clean-shaven face, which may symbolize the moon and the sun, or age and youth. In his role as the Guardian of Exits and Entrances, Janus is also believed to represent beginnings. The explanation for this belief being that one must emerge through a door or gate in order to enter into a new place. Therefore, Janus is also considered as the God of Beginnings.

Diana- is the Goddess of the hunt and wild animals. She took over from Luna as the Roman Goddess of the moon, and is also accountable for fertility and childbirth. Originally she was Queen of the open sky and then possibly a sun Goddess in addition to being a moon Goddess, as her name means light. Men have fought to the death for the honor of becoming one of Diana’s priests. But the strange thing about this notion is that Diana strongly dislikes men and her Hunters have to vow never to get married if they want to stay with her.

Jupiter- king of all the Gods. He is also the God of rain, lightning, thunder, light, and sky. In addition Jupiter is the protector of the state and its laws. He is a son of Saturn and brother of Neptune and Juno. He is worshipped most especially as Jupiter Optimus Maximus. This name refers not only to his reign over the entire universe, but also to his function as the God of the state who distributes laws, controls the realm, and makes his will known through oracles. Jupiter has been known to fall in love with mortal women, causing them to be cursed by his wife, Juno.

Vesta- is the Goddess of fire and the hearth, whose circular temple in Rome is considered the central hearth of the city. She is considered a Goddess of the earth as well as fire, perhaps because the deep heart of the Earth is fiery. Later, Vesta became the Goddess of ceremonial or central fire, and is worshipped by the State. She presides in the State over the central altar, as well as she does in the home, where offerings are made to her at every meal. Vesta’s national cult is tended by the famous Vestal Virgins, who took vows of chastity and tended her fire, never allowing it to go out. The Vestals are given great honor and considered highly sacred people, and are treated like princesses.