"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."
The study of the religious beliefs and practices of ancient civilizations in the Classical period, including the cults of various gods and goddesses and the influence of religion on daily life.
Mythology: The study of myths, legends, and religious stories that explain the beliefs and practices of a particular religion.
Philosophy: The study of the nature of reality, free will, the meaning of life, and the existence of God.
Ethics: A branch of philosophy that is concerned with moral principles and values governing human behavior.
Sacred texts: The study of the written or oral traditions that are considered holy by a particular religious group.
History of Religion: The study of the development, growth, and spread of religious beliefs and practices across time and space.
Anthropology of Religion: The study of beliefs, practices, and behaviors of human groups in a cultural, social, and historical context.
Sociology of Religion: The study of the relationship between religion and society, including how religious groups function in society, and their social and political impact.
Comparative Religion: The study of the similarities and differences among different religious traditions, including their beliefs, practices, and rituals.
Spirituality: The exploration of personal beliefs and experiences related to the divine, the supernatural, or the transcendent.
Religious rituals and ceremonies: The study of the kinds of practices that are central to religion, including prayers, sacrifices, pilgrimages, and festivals.
Mysticism: The study of the search for union with God or the divine through various spiritual practices and experiences.
Iconography: The study of the images, symbols, art, and architecture that are used to express religious ideas and beliefs.
Theology: The study of the nature of God and religious beliefs, including the interpretation of religious scriptures, teachings, and dogma.
Cosmology: The study of the origin and structure of the universe, as well as the theories and beliefs about the nature of reality.
Religion and gender: The study of how religion can shape and be shaped by different gender roles and identities.
Religion and politics: The study of the ways religion has impacted political movements and governance across history and today.
Religion and science: The study of the relationship between religion and scientific knowledge, including how religion has influenced scientific thought and vice versa.
Cults and new religious movements: The study of new and alternative religious groups that emerge in the modern world.
Indigenous religions: The study of the native religious traditions of various cultures around the world.
Interfaith dialogue: The study of how different religious groups can engage in dialogue and cooperation to promote understanding and peace.
Hinduism: A polytheistic religion that originated in ancient India. It is centered around the veneration of different deities and their avatars, and includes concepts like karma and reincarnation.
Buddhism: A non-theistic religion that originated in ancient India as well. It focuses on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, which are teachings that aim to eradicate suffering and achieve enlightenment.
Zoroastrianism: An ancient religion that originated in Persia. It is monotheistic, centering around the worship of the god Ahura Mazda. Its teachings include the importance of good deeds and the battle between good and evil.
Taoism: An ancient Chinese religion that focuses on the philosophy of Laozi. It emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with the natural world and achieving balance through actions like meditation and martial arts.
Confucianism: Another ancient Chinese philosophy that focuses on social and moral order. Its teachings emphasize duty, respect, and filial piety, and have had a profound impact on East Asian culture.
Shintoism: An indigenous religion of Japan that centers around the worship of spirits called kami. Its teachings emphasize purification, ritual, and respect for the natural world.
Judaism: An ancient monotheistic religion that originated in the Middle East. Its teachings center around the Covenant between God and the Jewish people, and include the importance of the Torah and the observance of rituals like circumcision and Passover.
Christianity: A monotheistic religion that emerged from Judaism in the first century CE. It centers around the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and includes concepts like salvation and the Holy Trinity.
Islam: A monotheistic religion that originated in the Arabian Peninsula in the seventh century CE. It centers around the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, and emphasizes the importance of prayer, charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca.
"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)