Ancient Roman Religion Gods and Goddesses

Romulus and Remus While the story of Romulus and Remus is one of the central legends of Rome’s early history it doesn’t really tie in to Roman religious beliefs. The story itself was about the founding of the City of Rome but for us, historians, it gives us a glimpse into the values of early Romans: loyalty and justice. Other accounts of Rome’s origins stress the virtue and dignity of early Romans and attempt to draw parallels between Greek and Roman civilizations. Some sources suggest that Rome’s ancestors were Greek and Trojan heroes that conquered the native Latin tribes and intermarried with them. Romulus and Remus origin story

Gods and Goddesses Roman religion was influenced by contact with Etruscans and Greeks. Like the Greeks, the Romans adopted a pantheon of supernatural deities. 12 main gods/goddesses, many resembled Greek Gods. People regularly made sacrifices/offerings to appease gods and goddesses.

The Roman Pantheon Jupiter Juno Neptune Minerva Ceres Vesta Apollo Diana Mercury Venus Vulcan Mars You’ll notice the God Vulcan sounds familiar, not simply because of Star Trek but also because of how we get the name volcano from it. The god Vulcan was known to create lightning bolts under Mt. Etna. Use page 227 of the text to complete your notes on these Gods and Goddesses.

Gods and Goddesses Families kept statues of “Lares” (spirits of family ancestors) in their main living rooms. Spirits were everywhere…in fire, water plants, stones… Offerings: each day the head of household would make an offering of wine and incense on behalf of family. In addition to the 12 principal gods, Romans also believed in minor deities of the spirit world. These spirits watched over the day to day activities like planting seeds and baking bread. The success and happiness of the family depended on the goodwill of various household spirits.

Religious Beliefs and Practices Like the Greeks, Roman religion was based on Rituals, Traditions rather than on dogma (a clearly defined or written code of beliefs). Festivals were held every month, except for September and November.

Religious Beliefs and Practices Priests: Were elected officials of the state. “Pentifex Maximus” was the chief Priest who supervised other priests. Some gods had designated priests called “Flamens” “Vestal Virgins” were priestesses served the goddess Vesta. Other groups of priests, called “Augurs” looked for signs from the gods.

Religious Beliefs and Practices Ancient Romans believed in Omens , Curses , Spells, Astrology, and Divination. “Divination” is the practice of interpreting the will of the gods through signs and omens such as measuring the size of the sacrificed animals organs. The belief in Omens , Curses , Spells, Astrology and Divination was influenced by the Greeks and Etruscans. Romans believed in traditions and rituals rather than religious “dogma” – a clearly defined or written code of beliefs. The Romans had a variety of ways to honour their Gods, mainly in the form of festivals held throughout the year. Every December they had a festival to honour the god Saturn where masters changed places with their slaves and people exchanged gifts…remind you of anything?

Ancient Roman Religion Death and Afterlife

Death and Afterlife Like Greeks; the Roman Afterlife did not promise happy immortality. Deceased Romans passed to the underworld to “Hades”. First had to cross River Styx, which separates this world from the next and had to pay “Charon” (The Boatman) Relatives had to put a coin in the mouth of the deceased to pay the toll. Again, like the Greeks, both good and fearful demons inhabited the underworld.

Charon and the River Styx

Death and Afterlife The Funeral The family washed the body – anointed with oils – dressed it in white. Placed on couch for viewing. Mourning lamps were lit. A small Cyprus Tree was placed outside the house. To signify loss, the fire in the hearth was put out. Poorer families that couldn’t afford a proper funeral would bury their dead in the dark of the night with no ceremony. Wealthy families would hire musicians, torchbearers, and “professional mourners” to accompany the body as it was carried through the streets by slaves. Some family members carried portraits of the deceased. Each May the head of the household would carry out a ceremony to persuade the spirits of the dead to leave the house and not to haunt it.

Death and Afterlife “Sacrifices” were made after a death to purify the house. Poor families buried their dead in a common grave while richer families had a funeral procession, often with professional mourners. Another special sacrifice was made 9 days after the burial for the departed spirit. Every May ceremonies were help to persuade spirits to leave the household and not to haunt it.

Ancient Roman Religion Spread of Christianity

Spread of Christianity

Spread of Christianity Began in the First Century – it was first regarded as a minor Jewish sect (religious group) centered in Jerusalem. Originally based on Judaism a “Monotheistic” religion with one God who governs all aspects of life. God’s word was recorded in a sacred book called “The Torah” with Gods law “Ten Commandments” Keep in mind that Judaism has been around for 3000 years, 1000 years before the birth of Christianity.

Spread of Christianity This religious style “written laws/One God” was unique in the world at this time. Supposedly, around 30 CE, Jesus Christ began teaching and preaching. Jesus Christ came into conflict with high Jewish leaders who felt he could not be the sole agent of God. He also angered Roman officials because many Roman people viewed Jesus as a savior/messiah who came to free the Jews from Roman Rule.

Spread of Christianity - video Previously established religions did not promise equality or eternal happiness in the afterlife. Why would Christianity be viewed as a threat to power control?

Why Christianity Spread Strong Organization Break from Judaism Christianity built strong church organization with a hierarchy of leaders. (Bishops/Priests, etc…) Organization became far-reaching Creates separate church from Judaism. Accepts everyone; slaves, nobles, Jewish or not. (Preached Equality) Everlasting life after death for the “worthy”

Spread of Christianity Romans were mostly concerned with the message that all were equal in the eyes of God. This contradicted traditional Roman values: Husband over Family Parent over Child Master over Slave Emperor over Citizens

Spread of Christianity

Spread of Christianity p.229-231 Roman began prosecuting Christians as early as First Century. Roman Emperor Nero used Christians as a scapegoat for a huge fire that nearly destroyed the city. Perhaps the most infamous of Rome’s emperors, Nero Claudius Caesar (37-68 A.D.) ruled Rome from 54 A.D. until his death by suicide 14 years later. He is best known for his debaucheries, political murders, persecution of Christians and a passion for music that led to the rumor that quickly circulated that the emperor had started the fire to clear land for an expanded palace complex on the Palatine Hill. Whatever responsibility he actually bore for the disaster, Nero deflected attention by blaming members of the fledgling Christian religion for the fire. He ordered all manner of creative and brutal persecutions: Some were condemned to be dressed in animal skins and torn apart by dogs, while others were burned to death in nighttime pyres that provided light for the emperor’s garden parties.

Spread of Christianity Christians were considered by many to have angered the Roman gods and goddesses as Christians were blamed for floods/famines and fires, one of which burned down much of Rome in 64 CE. Despite the negative publicity(cannibalism and black magic) many people still converted to Christianity. By 3rd Century a tenth of Rome was Christian. How did the Emperors deal with the rise of Christianity?

Persecution Accelerated Then Accepted Emperor Diocletian Emperor Constantine Considered himself to be God-like and resented the Christians for not worshiping him. Declared official persecution of Christians in 303 CE. Became Christian himself. Allowed Christians to practice freely Used state funds to build churches Had soldiers wear Christian monogram on their shield Christians who were executed during this time period were often seen as martyrs, people who would die for their beliefs.

Spread of Christianity Emperor Theodosius (the successor of Diocletian) made Christianity the official religion of Rome in 380 CE. Christianity became so powerful that it eventually forced Rome to outlaw all other religions.

Thoughts and Questions Did the persecution by the Romans strengthen Christianity and encourage it to spread? Who would the average citizen of Rome find Christianity attractive? How would their daily lives change after they converted?