Greco-Roman Religion: Characteristics

Gods
o Polytheism (many gods)
o Anthropomorphism
o Two-way relationship (do ut des)

Theology
o Not text-based (no sacred book)
o Less emphasis on ethics
o Lack of concern w/ afterlife
o Centrality of ritual

Social role
o Blurring of sacred/secular
o Political leaders = religious leaders

The Roman Gods: Origins

Indo-European
o Sky-god *Dyaus -> Jupiter/Jove
o Divine twins -> Castor & Pollux

Italic/Etruscan (?)
o Native deities
>>>> Identified w/ Greek pantheon
o Mars, Vesta
o Capitoline triad (Jupiter/Juno/Minerva)
o Janus
o Quirinus (= Romulus?)
o Lares & Penates (household gods)

Republican imports
o Magna Mater = Cybele (< Near East, 204)
o Bacchus (< Greece, 186)
o Isis & Serapis (< Hellenistic Egypt, 1st c.?)

Personified Abstractions
o Fortuna, Victoria, Concordia ...
o Robigus, Sterculius ...

Religion & the State

Numa as source of religious tradition

Early Priesthoods
o Flamines
o Salian priests (Salii)
o Fetial priests (Fetiales)
o Rex sacrorum
o Vestal Virgins

Priestly Colleges
o 16 Pontifices (Pontifex Maximus)
o 15 Quindecimviri (Sibylline Books)
o 16 Augurs (divination)
o 10 Epulones (arrange public feasts)

Co-option (to 103 BC)
>>>> Election by 1/2 of comitia tributa
     >>> Chosen by senate (& emperor)

Religious Practice

Prayer

Vows (do ut des)

Sacrifice
o Animals (oxen, sheep, pigs, poultry)
o Incense
o Wine & other liquids (= libation)

Divination
o Augury (birds)
o Haruspicy (animals' entrails)
+ Astrology

Festivals & Games (ludi)

Imperial Developments

Augustan religious revival
o Temple building
o Revived institutions, e.g. Arval Brethren
o 17 BC Secular Games
o Ara Pacis (altar of peace)

Emperor worship
o Hellenistic precedents (Alexander etc.)
o Romulus as model
o Julius Caesar moves toward divinity
o Divus Iulius declaration by Aug.
o Later divinized emperors: (Augustus, Claudius, Vespasian etc.)
o East vs. West

Increase in 'Mystery Religions'
o Isis, Mithras etc.
o "Villa of the Mysteries," Pompeii