"The Romans thought of themselves as highly religious, and attributed their success as a world power to their collective piety (pietas) in maintaining good relations with the gods."
This subfield focuses on the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Greco-Roman world, including mythology, cults, and rituals.
Mythology: The study of ancient stories, usually involving gods and heroes, that explain the origins and nature of the universe and humanity. This includes cosmogonies and creation stories, legends, and epics.
Pantheons: The gods and goddesses worshipped in a particular religion, including their roles and relationships with each other, as well as their associations and symbols.
Rituals and Sacrifice: The various practices and ceremonies performed by worshippers, including offerings, prayer, and sacrifice, as well as their purposes and meanings.
Divination: The methods used to communicate with the divine, including prophecy, augury, and interpreting natural phenomena like omens or dreams.
Temple Architecture: The design and construction of religious buildings, including temples, shrines, and altars, as well as their decorations and symbolism.
Mythological Creatures: The imaginary or legendary beings found in myths and legends, often with symbolic or metaphorical meanings, such as dragons or centaurs.
Cosmology: The study of the structure, origin, and evolution of the universe, as well as beliefs and myths about the cosmos, including the roles played by celestial bodies and other natural phenomena.
Magic and Witchcraft: Beliefs and practices associated with supernatural power, including spellcasting, divination, and healing, as well as beliefs about the existence and activity of witches and other malevolent beings.
Religious Texts: The written or oral sources of religious knowledge, including scripture, hymns, incantations, and other forms of sacred writing or speech.
Iconography: The visual symbols, motifs, and codes used to represent or communicate religious ideas, including statues, paintings, and other art forms.
"Their polytheistic religion is known for having honored many deities."
"The presence of Greeks on the Italian peninsula from the beginning of the historical period influenced Roman culture, introducing some religious practices that became fundamental."
"Etruscan religion was also a major influence, particularly on the practice of augury, used by the state to seek the will of the gods."
"According to legends, most of Rome's religious institutions could be traced to its founders, particularly Numa Pompilius, the Sabine second king of Rome, who negotiated directly with the gods."
"This archaic religion was the foundation of the mos maiorum, 'the way of the ancestors' or simply 'tradition,' viewed as central to Roman identity."
"Roman religion was practical and contractual, based on the principle of do ut des, 'I give that you might give'."
"Religion depended on knowledge and the correct practice of prayer, rite, and sacrifice."
"Even the most skeptical among Rome's intellectual elite such as Cicero, who was an augur, saw religion as a source of social order."
"As the Roman Empire expanded, migrants to the capital brought their local cults, many of which became popular among Italians."
"Christianity was eventually the most successful of these cults, and in 380 became the official state religion."
"For ordinary Romans, religion was a part of daily life."
"Each home had a household shrine at which prayers and libations to the family's domestic deities were offered."
"Neighborhood shrines and sacred places such as springs and groves dotted the city."
"The Roman calendar was structured around religious observances."
"Women, slaves, and children all participated in a range of religious activities."
"Some public rituals could be conducted only by women."
"Women formed what is perhaps Rome's most famous priesthood, the state-supported Vestals, who tended Rome's sacred hearth for centuries."
"The Vestals were disbanded under Christian domination."
"Religion was seen as a source of social order." (Cicero, as mentioned earlier)