Class 8 M 09/29/25: Roman Religion Day 1

Religion

Comes from the Latin 'religio,' meaning 'to bind together.'

Family Life in Roman Religion

Involved household shrines with offerings and prayers for protection, similar to modern customs like grace before meals.

Rites of Passage

Important milestones in Roman culture such as naming ceremonies, coming-of-age rituals, and marriage customs.

Festivals

Holidays like 'Dies festus' celebrated certain gods or times of the year, akin to modern religious holidays.

Scripture and Morality in Roman Religion

Lacked formal scripture or codified beliefs; morality derived from law and philosophy rather than religion.

The Afterlife in Roman Belief

Generally a gloomy view; most souls went to the underworld with no focus on their earthly actions determining afterlife fate.

Conversion in Roman Religion

Romans were fluid and tolerant, not actively seeking to convert others, unlike monotheistic religions.

Sacrifice in Roman Religion

Central practice, including daily offerings and animal sacrifices for significant events; no human sacrifice was practiced.

Development of Roman Religion

Based on later myth-steeped writings; early gods associated with elemental aspects of nature and heavily borrowed from Greek traditions.

Influence of Etruscans

Introduced major gods like Jupiter and practices of divination, influencing Roman religious structures.

Influence of Greeks

Adopted many Greek gods and myths, blending them into Roman culture and literature.

Major Roman Gods

Roman pantheon included gods with Greek equivalents, often intertwined with cultural narratives.

Emperor Worship

Developed during the Empire; emperors became 'Pontifex Maximus' and were sometimes deified.

Modern Relevance of Roman Religion

Influences modern society through various facets like art, literature, and language.