Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Roman Gods Cards: Free Printable Card Set for Year 4
- ForYear 4
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Roman Gods Cards is a free printable card set for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9). Children meet nine gods and goddesses of ancient Rome and learn the name and the job of each one. It takes about 20 minutes, needs only paper and a pencil, and works for one player or more. Page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help ideas and a stretch task.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children meet nine gods and goddesses from ancient Rome. The sheet includes cards to cut out and use. Each card pairs a name with what that god or goddess was known for. Children read the cards, say them aloud and practise remembering which name goes with which job. They can then use the cards as a memory game with a partner, reading a job and naming the god or goddess.
- Jupiter: king of the gods and ruler of the sky
- Juno: queen of the gods
- Mars: god of war
- Mercury: messenger of the gods
- Neptune: god of the sea
- Venus: goddess of love
- Minerva: goddess of wisdom
- Vulcan: god of fire and metalwork
- Diana: goddess of the hunt and the moon
Things to make and do with the cards
Draw a picture
Pick one card and draw something that reminds you of that god or goddess. Try a moon or a bow for Diana, or a wave for the sea god. Add the name and a short label.
Museum label
Write a short label for one card, as if it sat in a museum case. Include the name and what the god or goddess was known for. Read it aloud to someone.
Odd one out
Choose three cards. Ask a partner which one does not fit with the others and why. There is often more than one good answer, so listen to the reasons.
Card order
Sort the cards into groups of your own choosing. You might group by jobs that sound alike or by names you find easy or hard. Explain your groups to a friend.
Who were the Roman gods?
The Romans lived in Italy and ruled a large empire, including much of Britain for hundreds of years. They believed in many gods and goddesses, not just one. Each one was linked with a part of life or the world, such as the sea, war or wisdom. People prayed to them, built temples and made offerings, hoping for help and protection.
Many people today hold beliefs that are different from those of the Romans. Some believe in one God, some in several gods, and some in none. Comparing past and present beliefs helps children see that people in different times and places have understood the world in different ways. It also helps them describe the Roman view fairly and with respect.
Quick facts about Roman beliefs
- The Romans believed in many gods and goddesses, not just one.
- Romans built temples for their gods in towns and cities.
- People made offerings to the gods, at temples and at home.
- Many Roman gods were similar to Greek gods but had different names.
- Stories about the gods are called myths, and people still read them today.
Skills and curriculum link
- Names and roles
- Reading for meaning
- Memory
- Roman history
- Explaining ideas
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | History | Roman Empire | Year 4 |
What children will be able to do
- I can name some Roman gods and goddesses.
- I can say what each one was known for.
- I can say the Romans believed in many gods.
Helping with the history
- Many godsExplain that the Romans believed in many gods. Each one had a job or an area of life. This is the key idea, so say it more than once.
- Past and presentBeliefs in the past were not the same as many people's beliefs today. Describe the Roman view calmly and fairly, without calling it silly.
- MythsMyths are old stories. They tell us what people believed and how they explained the world. They are not records of real events.
- Finding picturesLook at a book or a museum page together. Seeing how Romans showed their gods in art helps children remember each name.
Key words
- GodA being people believe has special power. The Romans believed in many gods.
- GoddessA female god.
- RomanBelonging to ancient Rome and the people who lived there.
- MythA very old story, often about gods, that people told to explain the world.
- TempleA building where people worshipped a god or goddess.
- WorshipTo show respect to a god by praying or making offerings.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2 for yourself.
- Read the cards through together and say each name aloud. Look at a book or museum page to find pictures if you can.
- Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice your child makes.
- Check against the notes on page 2. Ask, "How did you remember that one?" The thinking matters as much as the answer.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Learn three cards first, then add more. Say each name and job aloud, then cover the card and try again. Choose names that sound interesting to you. Once those feel easy, add the next three cards and repeat.
To stretch confident children
Find the planet or month named after each god. Write one sentence for each. Use a book or a museum page to help you. Then share your sentences with someone and see whether they can guess the god.
Make it a game
Play a memory game with a partner. One player reads the job from a card and the other says the name. Swap roles after each turn. Keep a score and see if you can beat it next time.
Talk about it
- Which god or goddess would you most like to learn more about, and why?
- What jobs do we give to people today that the Romans gave to gods?
- Why do you think the Romans believed in many gods?
- How is the Roman idea different from what people believe today?
- Which name was hardest to remember, and what helped you?
- If you made a new god or goddess, what would they be in charge of?
Take it off the page
Cardboard shield
Cut a shield shape from cardboard. Draw a symbol for your favourite god or goddess and write their name on it. Explain your choice to someone.
Museum visit
Look at a museum website or book together, or visit a museum with Roman objects. Spot anything that shows a god or goddess and talk about what you notice.
Roman story time
Ask a grown-up to find a short myth from a library book. Listen, then retell it in your own words using a drawing for each part.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go, then let them lead. Short bursts of ten to fifteen minutes work well. Praise effort and thinking, not only correct answers. Use the memory game to keep it light.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. The Roman Empire strand in the National Curriculum for England is listed in the links on this page, so check it against your own plan. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider history plan. It pairs well with books, museum visits and everyday talk. Because it is free to print for home use, you can use it again with brothers and sisters or for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in history learning
Before this sheet, children may have heard stories about the past and talked about how life was different long ago. Learning that people once believed different things from many people today is a useful first step. Egyptian Gods Cards is the same subject one year down and uses a similar approach.
After this sheet, children can build on their Roman knowledge in wider topics on the Roman Empire. Tudor Family Tree is the same subject one year up. Comparing different times and beliefs, and explaining reasons, becomes more important as history work grows.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- Which god or goddess did you learn about?
- What was that god or goddess in charge of?
- How is the Roman idea different from what we believe today?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Roman Gods Cards for?
It is written for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9), in Key Stage 2. Children in nearby years can also try it. Younger children may need a grown-up to read the cards, and older children can use the stretch idea.
- What will children practise?
They learn the names and roles of some gods and goddesses the Romans believed in. They also practise reading, memory and saying that the Romans believed in many gods. The activity supports classroom history learning rather than replacing it.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 20 minutes. You can make it shorter by learning three cards first, or longer by adding the stretch idea. Short bursts of ten to fifteen minutes also work well at home.
- What if it feels too hard?
Start with three cards, then add more. Say each name and job aloud, cover the card and try again. A book or museum page with pictures can also help. Praise effort so your child stays confident.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, a growing library of free printables from Jaques of London.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, plus scissors to cut out the cards. That makes it good for quiet time after school, rainy days and school holidays, and it gets children talking and thinking.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can add colour themselves if they like, perhaps when they draw a picture for a god or goddess.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.