The Religious History of the Roman Empire: The Republican Centuries

The Religious History of the Roman Empire: The Republican Centuries is a collection of fourteen chapters that explore various aspects of the religious life of Republican Rome between 500 BCE and 30 BCE. The chapters cover topics such as Iron Age rituals, Roman Priesthood, religion and war, religious behavior in polytheism, religious ritual in the early and middle Republic, Italian warfare practices, the role of women, sacrificial ritual in Roman poetry, centuriation-ritual, Roman divination, Augustan Peace and the stars, the great cult places of Italy, and the grove of Pesaro. The book provides a valuable insight into the religious traditions of Republican Rome and the balance between ritual and belief during this period.

Format: Hardback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 12 May 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Religious History of the Roman Empire: The Republican Centuries is the second installment in the Oxford Readings in Classical Studies series, focusing on the religious history of the Roman Empire. This comprehensive volume comprises fourteen chapters that explore various aspects of religious life in Republican Rome, spanning from approximately 500 BCE to the fall of the Republican constitution in 30 BCE. The chapters cover a wide range of topics, including Iron Age rituals, Roman Priesthood, religion and war, religious behavior in polytheistic contexts, religious rituals in the early and middle Republic, Italian warfare practices, the role of women, sacrificial ritual in Roman poetry, the centuriation-ritual, Roman divination, Augustan Peace and the stars, the great cult places of Italy, and the grove of Pesaro.

Originally published between 1981 and 2011, these chapters offer a valuable insight into the key issues and debates of the Roman Republican religion. A central theme that emerges is the delicate balance between ritual and belief, which posed challenges for interpreters of this religious tradition. While it is evident that rituals played a significant role in the lives of Romans, particularly those in positions of authority such as priests or senators, the later years of the Republic witnessed a growing tendency to treat religious matters as subjects of debate. This shift led to the emergence of books on religious themes, which were previously unknown in the Roman world before the time of Cicero and Varro.

The Religious History of the Roman Empire: The Republican Centuries serves as a crucial contribution to the field of Roman religious history. By presenting a comprehensive overview of the religious life in Republican Rome, the volume fills a gap in the historiography of Roman republican religion. It provides a rich and detailed account of the various religious practices, beliefs, and customs that characterized this period, shedding light on the complex and multifaceted nature of Roman religious culture. Whether one is interested in ancient rituals, priesthoods, warfare, women's roles, poetry, divination, or cult places, this book offers valuable insights and perspectives that will enhance our understanding of the Roman Empire and its religious heritage.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780199644063