Roman Religion Flashcards
Polytheistic
Many gods and goddesses (not monotheistic)
Each god has its own area of authority
Route of Triumph goes to Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus (their overall cult god) - state god
Worshipped at several different levels in society:
State, individual, etc.
Republican Civil Offices
*Priests are elected for life
Temple of Vesta
- Began being worshipped in private houses
- Connects Vesta’s fire and the sun as sources of life
- Instead of the area where the cult statue would be, a fire would be lit
- Vestals, are priestesses who would guard the fire and ensure its survival
Roman Calendar (Fasti) from Antium
- Chronological based list or official and religious event
- List of Triumphs celebrated, annals
- Believed to be the lunar calendar (based on Greek calendar)?
- Shows months: Januarius, Febuarius, etc.
Attributes of the Roman Calendar
- Nundinae system: the days were divided into weeks of 8 days each and were indicated by the letters A-H
- Month-days: Kalends (1st), Nones (5th or 7th), (E)Ides (13th or 15th)
- Each day was marked by a letter to show its status
F: days when action in the civil courts could be initiated
C: day when Roman people could hold assemblies
N: When political activities and admin of justice were not allowed
Domestic Cult
Lares - protect the family, household god
Genius - protects the paterfamilias
-Household cult in the Atrium
Salutatio ceremony in Tablinium
New gods could join the Roman Pantheon
- New group sets up altars
- Roman officials entice foreign gods to support romans – Evocatio
- Gods direct roman state to take in a new god
Magna Mater/Cybele
Rome adopted her cult during the 2nd Punic War
- After failing crops, Rome’s defeat, famine, etc. - From Greek and Phrygian cults - Piety, purity and fertility
Mithraic Mysteries:
1-4th C AD after Persian god Mithra
- Complex system of worship with 7 initiation grades with ritual meals
- Mithras was born Dec 25th
- No public ceremonies
- Oath of dedication
