Religious Individualisation: Archaeological, Iconographic and Epigraphic Case Studies from the Roman World

The Roman world was diverse and complex, with religious understandings and practices shaped by many and sometimes incompatible cult practices. This volume presents case studies that analyze individual actions in the religious sphere, challenging conventional approaches that focus on the political role of civic cults. It explores the choices that were open to individuals in the Roman Empire, including the first adoption of Roman-style sculpture, cult practices, or Latin theonyms for indigenous deities, which can have long-term impacts on peoples perceptions of local deities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2023
Publisher: Oxbow Books

The Roman world was a tapestry of diversity and complexity, with religious understandings and practices reflecting this in a vast array of archaeological, iconographic, and epigraphic evidence. Conventional approaches often focused on the political role of civic cults as a means of social cohesion, overlooking the rich tapestry of religious diversity that existed within the empire. This marginalization led to the neglect of 'deviating cult activities that did not fit the Classical canon, as well as the multitude of funerary practices and other religious activities that were integral to everyday life.

In the Roman Empire, a person's religious experiences were shaped by a multitude of cult practices, with the civic and imperial cults perhaps having the least impact. The authors challenge these methodologies, advocating for a more dynamic image of religion that considers the varied and often contradictory choices and actions of individuals. This approach seeks to understand the diverse religious experiences of people in the Roman world, exploring the choices that were open to them.

The question arises as to whether the concept of individuality is valid for Roman times. While individual actions may have had limited impact in some periods, they can have significant consequences in others. For example, the adoption of Roman-style sculpture, cult practices, or Latin theonyms for indigenous deities can set in motion long-term processes that will shape peoples perceptions of local deities, their characteristics, and functions.

In conclusion, the Roman world was a complex tapestry of diversity and complexity, with religious understandings and practices reflecting this in a vast array of evidence. Conventional approaches often overlooked the rich diversity of religious practices, leading to the marginalization of 'deviating cult activities and other religious activities. By rethinking these methodologies and considering the varied and often contradictory choices and actions of individuals, we can gain a more dynamic understanding of the religious experiences in the Roman world. The concept of individuality may have limitations in this context, but individual actions can have significant consequences that shape the religious landscape of the empire.

Weight: 982g
Dimension: 175 x 248 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789259650