Ancient Greek mythology remains a prominent point of interest worldwide, giving rise to iconic gods and deities that battled Titans and, for the most part, sought to guide humanity. While the ancient Greeks created these characters, their stories have spread far and wide – thanks, in part, to the Romans.
In the UK, particularly, the Romans introduced their adapted version of the Greek mythos, which still echoes in modern times. Not only are some of the Romanised gods immortalised in planet names, but here in Bristol, we have a unique connection to one of their greatest deities.
Finding the Roman God in Bristol
You don’t need to travel to Italy or Greece to witness these gods in their splendour. Right here in Bristol, a statue that celebrated its 300th Birthday last year connects the city to the legends of these civilisations. Originally, the Statue of Neptune stood at the end of Temple Street.
Just 64 years after it was placed there, the statue was moved to Beer Lane. Here, Neptune would stand for over 200 years. Then, in 1999, the National Heritage-listed statue was moved to St Augustine’s Parade. Created by John Randall in 1723, it depicts Neptune standing proudly with his trident, a large fish in hand and underfoot, gazing out to sea.
As is tradition with sculptures of ancient Greek gods and their Roman counterparts, Neptune is wearing very little, save for a satchel and a conveniently placed bit of linen blowing across his front. Cast in lead, the crowned god of the sea now serves as the centrepiece of the parade.
Why is Neptune in Bristol?
The specific inspiration for John Randall’s Statue of Neptune is unknown, but it’s reasonable to assume it was Bristol’s historic reliance on its waterways, from the River Avon to the Severn and the Bristol Channel. However, Poseidon, the Greek counterpart, is arguably the more familiar of the two gods.
Roman Gods are often seen as adaptations of the Greek pantheon. For instance, more people recognise Poseidon than Neptune, which is why popular media and products tend to favour the Greek versions over the Roman ones. This is evident in various forms of entertainment, including video games, films, and even online slots. For example, the Megaways casino games with Poseidon Ancient Fortunes, which are among the lineup that draw on Greek mythology alongside other cultural pantheons like the Norse and Egyptian gods, such as Horus, Loki, and Thor, but rarely Roman deities.
However, this is a bit more of a modern mindset in popular culture. We know almost as a fun fact that the Romans adopted the Greek gods and gave them different names. In Randall’s day, the early 18th Century, Roman myths may have been better known, especially as the Roman Empire reached what is now Bristol.
Plus, the Romans conquered far beyond their Greek predecessors, particularly in Western Europe, leaving a lasting societal impact on the regions they ruled. As showcased by English Heritage, the impact of the Roman Empire was profound and remains incredibly influential today.
Plus, the Romans conquered far beyond their Greek predecessors, particularly in Western Europe, leaving a lasting societal impact on the regions they ruled. As showcased by English Heritage, the impact of the Roman Empire was profound and remains incredibly influential today.
Given Bristol’s maritime history and the Romans’ presence in the region, the Statue of Neptune seems perfectly placed. And considering the era it was made, it might have been more unusual for the statue to depict Poseidon instead.
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