God Bonuses and Benevolences

If a certain number or percentage of houses have access to a particular god, you will get bonuses from that god.

Each god has three “levels” of bonuses. You will get the bonus if enough houses are covered.

Benevolence events, or blessings, are based on worshipper population. These events only happen for the two most-worshipped gods in the city. If several gods have equal coverage, the two ‘most-worshipped’ are chosen at random. The chance of receiving a benevolence increases with the number of worshippers in the city. You can receive a lesser benevolence if the god has at least 750 worshippers, and a greater benevolence if the god has at least about 3300 worshippers.

It is worth noting that Jupiter also has a Wrath event. This can occur if there are 750 people in the city and Jupiter is not one of the two most-worshipped gods. In the minor wrath event, Jupiter destroys one building. In the major wrath event, Jupiter destroys two buildings, one of which is a shrine or temple to another god.

Jupiter

Jupiter, or Iuppiter Optimus Maximus (Jupiter the best and greatest), was the protecting deity of the Roman state. Like Zeus, he was the god of sky and thunder. He was usually worshipped on the summits of hills, and his oldest temple stood on the Capitoline Hill at Rome, where he was worshipped together with Juno and Minerva. Oaths and treaties were his special concern, hence his significance in dealing with criminals.

Bonuses

1. Jupiter’s Esteem: Favor penalties are reduced by 10%.
2. Jupiter’s Boon: Increased tax revenue.
3. Jupiter’s Grace: Homes evolve at a faster rate.

Benevolences

1. Jupiter’s Lesser: He smites a few criminals.
2. Jupiter’s Greater: He smites all criminals.

Mars

Mars was the most important deity in Rome after Jupiter. In early times he was associated with agriculture as well as warfare. When the Romans came in contact with the Greeks, they associated Mars with the Greek god Ares and his chief function became protecting the state in times of war. In legend, he was father of Romulus, who was the first king of Rome and founder of the Roman army. Through him, all Romans were believed to be descendants of Mars.

Bonuses

1. Strength of Mars: Factories produce armor and weapons 11% faster.
2. Valor of Mars: Soldiers’ fighting ability is enhanced.
3. Glory of Mars: Increases the immigration rate of recruits and replacements.

Benevolences

1. Mars’ Lesser: Gives 20 weeks of training experience to one cohort.
2. Mars’ Greater: Gives experience to all cohorts.

Mercury

Mercury (Mercurius) was the messenger of the gods, and the god of merchants and commerce, an adaptation of the Greek god Hermes. Like Ceres, he was introduced into Rome from Greek mythology during the frequent scarcities of grain in 496-5 BC. The first temple dedicated to him was built in 495 BC in Rome near the Circus Maximus.

Bonuses

1. Mercury’s Skill: Cart pushers can move more resources per trip, doubling the production of all raw materials except timber.
2. Mercury’s Savvy: Exports generate more revenue.
3. Mercury’s Reward: The cost of opening trade routes is reduced.

Benevolences

1. Mercury’s Lesser: Grants a small amount of money to the treasury for each open trade route.
2. Mercury’s Greater: Grants a significant amount of money to the treasury for each open trade route.

Ceres

Ceres was the goddess of growing food plants (particularly cereals). She was introduced into Rome in 496 BC from her Greek equivalent Demeter, to help alleviate a devastating famine. Ceres was regarded as patron of the grain trade.

Bonuses

1. Fruits of Ceres: Grapes and olives grow faster.
2. Ceres’ Gift: Meat and wool production is increased.
3. Bounty of Ceres: Grain and vegetables grow more quickly.

The exact increase in production for Ceres’ bonuses can be viewed on the production page.

Benevolences

1. Ceres’ Lesser: Some fields ripen or some trees regenerate overnight.
2. Ceres’ Greater: All fields ripen and all trees regenerate overnight.

Bacchus

Bacchus, or more commonly Dionysus, was originally a nature god, and the Thracian god of wine. In Roman times, he was worshipped as the god of wine, vegetation and cheer. In Rome, the wild festivals of Bacchus (Bacchanalia) had a bad reputation and were prohibited by the Senate in 186 BC – except in special cases.

Bonuses

1. Libations of Bacchus: Wine is produced 8% faster.
2. Glamour of Bacchus: The buildings and structures that generate positive Appeal emit more of it.
3. Festivities of Bacchus: All households in the city become happier than they were.

Benevolences

1. Bacchus’ Lesser: All patrician households receive extra luxury and exotic goods of the types they already have.
2. Bacchus’ Greater: All patrician households receive even more extra luxury and exotic goods of the types they already have and equite households receive extra luxury goods of the types they already have.