Why did the Romans worship Pluto?

"margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;">Pluto was a Greek god

and is version od the name is the Latinised form of the Greek

Plouton. Plouton's Roman equivalent was Dis Pater, (usually taken

to mean Rich Father). Pluto was also identified with the Roman

Orcus.

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"margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;">The Latinised name

Pluto is often taken as the god of the underworld of Latin

literature and is taken to be the Roman equivalent of Hades, who,

in turn, is taken as the Greek of the underworld. This is

incorrect. Hades was the earlier name for the Greek god of the

underworld. Later Hades became the name of the underworld itself

and Plouton replaced him as a deity. Plouton came about as a more

positive representation of the god of the underworld who presided

over the afterlife and was often conflated with Ploutos, a god of

wealth because of the mineral riches found underground. Plouton

became the common name of this deity.

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"margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;">Dis Pater was the Roman

god of the underworld. He was originally a god of riches, fertile

agricultural land, and underground mineral riches. Later he was

equated with the Roman deity Orcus, and become an underworld deity.

He also became associated with the Greek Plouton.

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. In 249 BC and

207 BC, the Roman Senate instituted festivals to honour Dis Pater

and Proserpina. The festival of is Dis Pater was celebrated every

100 years. A legend said that a round marble altar of Dis Pater and

Proserpina was foind by thre servants Valesius when they were told

to dig to lay the foundations for a temple by their master, who was

instructed to do so by his children's dreams. The altar was found

underground. Valesius reburies it after three days of religious

games. It must have been uncovered for each games of the Ludi

Seculares and the Ludi Tarentini and then reburied. It is said that

sacrifices were offered at this altar.