How vividly the idea of spiritualizing all earthly objects, on which the Roman religion was based, still prevailed at the close of this epoch, is shown by the new "God of silver" (-Argentinus-), who presumably came into existence only in consequence of the introduction of the silver currency in 485, and who naturally was the son of the older "God of copper" (-Aesculanus-).
The relations to foreign lands were the same as heretofore; but here, and here especially, Hellenic influences were on the increase.

It was only now that temples began to rise in Rome itself in honour of the Hellenic gods.

The oldest was the temple of Castor and Pollux, which had been vowed in the battle at lake Regillus( 17) and was consecrated on 15th July 269.

The legend associated with it, that two youths of superhuman size and beauty had been seen fighting on the battle-field in the ranks of the Romans and immediately after the battle watering their foaming steeds in the Roman Forum at the fountain of luturna, and announcing the great victory, bears a stamp thoroughly un-Roman, and was beyond doubt at a very early period modelled on the appearance of the Dioscuri--similar down to its very details--in the famous battle fought about a century before between the Crotoniates and Locrians at the river Sagras.

The Delphic Apollo too was not only consulted--as was usual with all peoples that felt the influence of Grecian culture--and presented moreover after special successes, such as the capture of Veii, with a tenth of the spoil (360), but also had a temple built for him in the city (323, renewed 401).