The Silent Gods

The Silent Gods LORE LOCATION: Rome EVENT DATE: 49 BC APART OF: 1.0

Lore

The Silent Gods refers to a religious crisis that occurred in Roma during the year 49 BC. After weeks of growing cult activity throughout the city, including shrine desecrations and offerings to gods outside the Pantheon, the gods became increasingly distant and divine intervention grew scarce.

The Gods' Withdrawal

The shrine of Jupiter, head of the Roman Pantheon, within the Temples of the Gods was desecrated numerous times. The poor temple security, alongside the growing worship of foreign deities, greatly angered the gods. As their anger grew, the gods began to withdraw from Roma, and their interventions became increasingly rare. During this period, Jupiter briefly appeared before the senate as its members bickered and fought among themselves. He condemned their vices and expressed his anger at the disorder within the city. Finally, the gods who once sent storms in rage fell silent. Prayers went unanswered, harvests once bountiful became uncertain, and children were left to die in their mother's cot without divine protection. As people left Roma, some gods followed their worshipers elsewhere.

Saturn

The withdrawal of Jupiter and the other gods and the chaos in the city created an opening for Saturn. Once bound beneath the rule of his son Jupiter, Saturn, determined not to pass up this opportunity, found worshipers among the rebellious legion and some members of the Vinarius family. Meanwhile, despite their silence, Jupiter and his siblings prepared for the inevitable conflict that would shake both earth and sky. During this period, the cult god Mithras was said to have taken flesh.