"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."
Exploration of the religious beliefs and practices of ancient cultures.
Creation myths: These are stories that describe how the world and/or humanity came into existence. Different religions and mythologies have their own unique creation myths.
Pantheons: These are the collections of deities worshipped in a particular religion. Each deity often has specific roles and responsibilities as well as stories associated with them.
Rituals: These are the practices and ceremonies that are performed in religious contexts. They often involve prayer, sacrifice, and other forms of worship.
Cosmology: This refers to the way that a particular religion or mythology explains the structure of the universe and the relationship between the physical world and the divine.
Heroes and heroines: Many religions and mythologies have stories of individuals who exhibit extraordinary qualities and perform courageous acts. These figures often embody specific values and ideals that are important to the culture.
Myths of the afterlife: These are stories that describe what happens to individuals after they die. Different religions and mythologies have their own unique beliefs about the afterlife.
Sacred texts: These are the written works that are considered to be sacred in a particular religion. These texts often provide guidance for religious practices and beliefs.
Religious art and architecture: This includes the visual arts and buildings that are designed to express religious ideas and beliefs. These works of art often have symbolic meanings.
Leadership and clergy: Many religions have specific individuals who are responsible for leading and guiding the community. These individuals often have specialized training and may have specific roles in religious rituals.
Religious practices in different cultures: Different cultures have their own unique religious practices and beliefs. It is important to understand the relationship between religion and culture in order to fully understand a particular religion or mythology.
Egyptian mythology: The ancient religion of Egypt, which had a pantheon of gods and goddesses, and elaborate funerary beliefs and practices.
Greek mythology: The religion and mythology of the ancient Greek people, which featured a pantheon of gods and goddesses and epic stories of heroes and monsters.
Roman mythology: A system of religion and myth developed by the ancient Romans, which was heavily influenced by Greek religion and featured many similar gods and goddesses.
Norse mythology: The mythology and religion of the Vikings and other people in Scandinavia, which featured gods and goddesses such as Odin, Thor, and Freya.
Celtic mythology: The mythology and religion of the ancient Celts, who lived in parts of Europe such as Ireland, Scotland, and Gaul, and featured many gods and goddesses associated with nature.
Hindu mythology: The mythology and religion of India, which features a pantheon of gods and goddesses and beliefs in reincarnation and karma.
Buddhist mythology: The mythology and beliefs of Buddhism, a religion that originated in India and spread throughout Asia, which features teachings on the nature of suffering and the quest for enlightenment.
Taoist mythology: The mythology and religion of China, which features the concept of yin and yang and a pantheon of gods and goddesses associated with natural elements and life events.
Shinto mythology: The mythology and religion of Japan, which features a pantheon of gods and goddesses associated with natural elements and ancestors.
African mythology: The diverse range of mythologies and religions present in Africa, which feature a wide range of gods, goddesses, spirits, and creation stories.
Native American mythology: The mythology and religion of the indigenous peoples of North America, which feature a rich diversity of stories, spirits, and beliefs about the natural world.
Aztec mythology: The mythology and religion of the Aztec people, who lived in what is now Mexico, which features a pantheon of gods and goddesses associated with nature, agriculture, and war.
Inca mythology: The mythology and religion of the Inca people, who lived in what is now Peru, which featured a pantheon of gods and goddesses associated with agriculture, nature, and the sun.
Mesopotamian mythology: The mythology and religion of the ancient peoples who lived in what is now Iraq, which featured a complex pantheon of gods and goddesses associated with various aspects of life and nature.
Abrahamic religions: The three major monotheistic religions of the world, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which all trace their roots back to the story of Abraham in the Bible.
Voodoo: A religion originating in West Africa and practiced in parts of the Americas, which features beliefs in spirits, ancestor worship, and the use of charms and talismans.
Wicca: A modern pagan religion that emerged in the mid-20th century, which features a pantheon of gods and goddesses associated with nature and the elements.
"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)