Radio Broadcast Library
Radio Broadcast Library

T9835 One Nation Under the gods

Walk inside the U.S. Capitol building and look up. You will see a giant fresco of George Washington seated in the heavens and flanked by ancient goddesses. And besides Washington, you will see other founding fathers, such as Benjamin Franklin being instructed by Minerva the goddess of war. Robert Morris, the financier of the American Revolution, is shown being handed a bag of gold by Mercury, the god of pickpockets and thieves.

Why are the gods and goddesses of ancient Rome sprinkled throughout the capitol grounds, and atop the capitol domes of the several States? Why are gods and goddesses on official State seals? How could a "Christian Nation" ever place the gods of Rome in its capitol buildings and on official documents? Why is Jesus nowhere to be found on a single State seal?

"Apotheosis of Washington" - pictures.