Roma (mythology) - Definition and Overview

In ancient Rome, Roma was a supposed deity to whom were dedicated some temples and sacred sites. She was really more of a personification representing the Roman State.

Roma first appeared in 269 BC on Roman coins from Rome and also on Roman coins from Locri (Calabria) in 204 BC. It is hypothesized that non-Roman peoples might have also given Roma divine attributes. Temples to Roma were erected in Smyrna (195 BC) and a cult of Roma is reported in Ephesus, Sardis and Delo.

Roma was a goddess whose worship was made official by Augustus Caesar early in his career as "Princeps Civitatis" (first among citizens - i.e. Emperor) as part of a propaganda campaign. In this way he deified the concept of Rome, building many temples with his Res Gestae (resume telling his subjects all his deeds) alongside inscriptions that popularized the new goddess Roma.