Roman religion Flashcards
What was Pax Deorum?
Peace with the Gods
What relationship did Romans believe in with the Gods?
A reciprocal relationship
- By honouring and worshipping the Gods by making offerings and conducting specific rituals they believed they could maintain peace and prosperity
What were temples?
Sacred spaces dedicated to specific Gods and Goddesss
They weren’t places of worship
What would temples contain?
Statues, paintings and other works of art
Each temple would have a Cult Statue which was a physical representation of the presence of a God in a temple
Where were temples commonly found?
Atop hills
Other prominent locations
Centre of Roman towns
Who was allowed in temples?
Ordinary Romans couldn’t enter
Only priests, who would be in charge of looking after the temple
Where would worship usually take place?
Outside of the temple at an altar
- An alter is a raised platform where offerings were made to the Gods
What would be offered to the Gods and why?
Sacrifices could range from simple food items to complex processes of sacrificing an animal
This was done to maintain the Pax Deorum
What were priests responsible for?
Performing rituals
Interpreting omens and prophecies
Advising the Romans on religious matters
How were priests viewed?
They were seen as having a lot of authority and were treated with great respect
Their knowledge and expertise was considered essential for maintaining Pax Deorum
What did Priests belong to? + an example
Priests belonged to colleges, which were groups of priests with similar duties
- The Augurs were a college of priests who interpreted omens
- The Flamines were a college of priests where each one was dedicated to one of Romes 15 most important Gods
What were priests like?
Nearly all were male
Mostly from Rome’s elite families
It was usual for priests to be politicians
Who was the Pontifex Maximus?
The supreme religious figure of Ancient Rome, who held immense power and authority
What did the Pontifex Maximus do?
Head of the Pontifical College
- meaning he oversaw all aspects of Roman religion, from interpreting sacred texts to regulating religious practices
- Responsible for appointing priests, interpreting omens and advising the Roman senate on religious matters
How long was the Pontifex Maximus role held for?
For life
Who were the Vestal virgins?
Six women selected from noble families, who held the unique position of being dedicated to Vesta
Who was Vesta?
Rome’s patron deity and chief protecter
What did Vestal Virgins do?
Tended the sacred flame in Vesta’s temple
This ensured the continued protection and prosperity of Rome
What did the Romans believe omens were?
How the Gods communicated with them through signs and messages embedded in the natural world
Who interpreted omens and how?
Often interpreted by the specialised priests, Augurs.
- they were trained to observe the flight of birds, the behaviour of animals and the pattern of lightning strikes
How could an Augurs interpretation of an omen have a big impact?
Could have a significant impact on important decisions
- embarking on a military campaign
- choosing a new leader
What did Augurs use to help with their observation of omens?
A Lituus
- A curved wand used to mark out an area in the sky for observation
What were the Sibylline books?
A selection of prophecies attributed to the legendary Sibyl of Cumae
- Consulted by the Roman senate in times of crisis
Who were allowed to consult the Sibylline books?
A college of fifteen priests- Quindecemviri
- They interpreted the books contents and passed instructions onto the Roman Senate
What was the Fasti?
A guide to the Roman religious year
Calendar
What did the Fasti outline?
- Festivals
- Holidays
- Various other important dates when the Romans sought divine favour through prayers, sacrifices and other ritual observances
Where does most of the knowledge of Roman religion come from?
Ovid’s Fasti
- A poem which records the rituals associated with each month
What did each Roman household possess?
Its own set of Lares, known as the Lares Familiares
What were the Lares Familiares?
- Household deities
- They were considered the protectors of the home and its inhabitants, ensuring harmony and prosperity
How were the Lares Familiares often represented?
Small statues or figurines placed in the household shrine
Whats the household shrine called, and what is it?
Lararium
- Typically located near the hearth or in the atrium
- Served as the focal point for household worship
How did Romans express their reverence for the Lares Familiares?
- Regular rituals and offerings
- Daily prayers and dedications were made to them, seeking their offerings and blessings
- Elaborate offerings of food, drink and incense would be made to them on special occasions, such as marriages, births and adoptions
How did Lares extend their protective influence to a neighbourhood?
Through the Lares Compitales
What were the Lares Compitales?
Deities associated with the crossroads and the intersection of streets and paths, which were considered liminal spaces by Romans
- They were believed to safeguard the community from harm
How were the Lares Compitales venerated?
Annual festivals known as the Compitalia
Describe the Compitalia
- Held in late January or early February
- Involved elaborate processions, public feasting, and sacrifices for the deities
What did the Lares connect the Romans to, and how?
With their mythological origin story
- They believed their ancestors were survivors of the Trojan war who were led to Italy by Aeneas.
- Aeneas was said to have brought the Lares of Troy with him to Italy, so these deities were believed to connect the Romans and their Trojan ancestors
What is the Romans borrowing elements of other cultures and religions called?
Syncretism
What was the Genius?
The personal spirit or Guardian Angel of each individual
- An inherent divine spark that that shaped their character, talents and overall destiny
What was the Genius considered?
Not a God in the traditional sense
- But the Romans did engage in practices that could be considered a form of worship
How would the Genius be worshipped?
- Often prayed to for guidance and support
- Offerings of food, drink and incense made
How did Romans view their relationship with the Genius?
A reciprocal one
