1. Religion in Rome
When in Rome…

2. Roman Religion Intro (part 2)
Be careful about generalising in Religion
There was no Dogma (system of belief) in Roman religion
Free to think what they wanted
Religious actions performed
NO CONTRADICTIONS

3. Mystery Religions Closest you will get to having a creed Isis Mithras
Bacchus
Only those initiated into the inner circle knows the secrets
Understand the universe and communicate with the gods

4. Mystery Religions Better life in world to come
I am allowed to worship more than one god. So… I want you and you and you and you… that should cover all my bases – surely one of these will be right
Better life in world to come
Appeal to poorer or oppressed
Could be initiate of cult and worship other gods
Join several mystery religions – multiple insurance policies

5. Philosophers Ancient religion tolerant and non-sectarian
Epicurean and Stoic philosophy = feuds
Philosophy based on facts
World = made of ‘breath’ or atoms
Ancient religion = assumed the existence of forces that could be persuaded
Prayer and sacrifice
Roman religion offered no dogma about the universe
XENO
EPICURUS

6. Judaism Stubbornly exclusive (later Christianity joined them) One god
One acceptable way to worship
Sacrifice to other gods was to compromise yourself - betrayal
Jealous god
Refused to make token gesture

7. Christianity Successors of Judaism AD 250 - powerful force
Absorbed Greek philosophical systems
Beginning of bigotry and persecution

8. The Lost Gods – The Romans