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What is meant by the Latin term numina? How are the Roman numina similar/different from the Greek divinities? Give examples.

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Final answer:

Numina are divine presences in Roman religion, less anthropomorphic than Greek gods, and connected to specific locales or objects.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Latin term numina refers to divine presences or spirits worshipped by the Romans. Unlike Greek divinities, which are anthropomorphic and have distinct personalities and myths, Roman numina are more abstract and associated with specific places or things. For example, the Greek goddess Aphrodite is known for her myths and personality, while her Roman equivalent, Venus, started as a numinous spirit of gardens and became more anthropomorphized over time through the influence of Greek culture.

Over time, the influence of Greek cultural elements led to a gradual anthropomorphization of Venus, illustrating the dynamic interplay between cultural influences and the evolving characterization of Roman divine entities.

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