What were the origins of Roman religion and how did it progress?

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What were the origins of Roman religion and how did it progress?

Introduction

Throughout the ages, beliefs have changed, advanced, and occasionally begun. In the time of Ancient Rome, the people began observing one religion; that which was similar to the Greeks; the pantheon. Through the Roman Empire, the worship of twelve central deities was observed carefully. The Romans themselves began all the beliefs contained within the worship. This was of great importance to the Roman people, and helped the empire to expand through its strong religious centre.

“The presence of the gods gives the past a certain dignity, and if any nation deserves to be allowed to claim that its ancestors were gods, that people is ours.”

                                                                   Livy

As can be seen, the strength of the Roman Empire may have had a great deal to do with the belief that the emperors became deities once they had died. This supported them, and strengthened their power, as will be discussed later. The city of Rome itself was also built under religious beliefs: Romulus and Remus, the sons of the god Mars and a mortal (Rhea Silvia), had been suckled by wolves from birth. Eventually they fought to the death of over who would take the seven hills on which the foundations of the city were placed. Romulus won, and built the city in his name. Aeneas, another half-mortal, built even the predecessor of Rome. These myths supported the Roman religion well, allowing the Roman citizens to give full beliefs to these gods and goddesses.

It is likely that without the original religion in Rome, it would have been far more difficult to build such an impressive empire. The nation leaned heavily on it’s gods, particularly in times of crisis. However, the religion was also used to bind the people together as a nation. Many of their festival days remain in our society today; floralia (May Day), lupercalia (Valentine’s Day), All Fool’s Day (April Fool’s Day) and Saturnalia (Christmas). As in our present society, we come together on Christmas Day to listen to the Queen’s Speech or such like, in Ancient Rome the citizens would all stand and watch the festivals pass through the forum or a similar place.

The Roman Forum where festivals would have taken place.

The layout of Roman religion

The majority of worship took place in the many temples in the centre of Rome, an idea taken from the Etruscans. These people also instigated the production of statues of the gods and goddesses within and around the temples. The temples were, in effect, the stage for religious activity. Here citizens would come to worship, pray in times of personal crisis and atone of their sins. In times of national and empirical crisis, the temples would also be used to perform animal sacrifices. These were also performed on festival days.

Roman religion was, in some ways, very similar to the social ladder of Rome itself. At the head was the emperor, who would eventually become a deity after his death. Below him would come the Pontifex Maximus, or the chief priest. Julius Caesar held this position at one time, which was very helpful to his political career. The Pontifex Maximus had power over the Vestal Virgins and the sixteen priests below them.

The Vestal Virgins held a great deal of power within the religious structure, as their primary function was to keep alight the sacred flame in the Temple of Vesta. They still managed to remain at the centre of the Roman life, as was pointed out by one Roman citizen;

“If the gods did not hear the Vestal Virgins’ prayers, the state would not survive.”

                                                                                                Cicero

To become a Vestal Virgin was obviously an important undertaking. One Roman man closely linked with the Virgins tells us of how strictly they were chosen;

“A girl cannot be chosen under six or more than ten years old; her father and mother must be alive; she must have no speech impediment, hearing defect or other physical weakness, and her father must not have surrendered his legal control over her.”

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                                                                        Aulus Gellius

The undertaking of this role was very important to the chosen few. Although the minimum period of service was thirty years, many Virgins remained so for the duration of their lives. Junica Torquata in particular served for a full sixty-four years of her life. It was unsurprising that the majority of Virgins kept their oaths, as the punishment for betrayal was very high. Also, the man with whom the Virgin was with would be buried alive in a tomb of concrete!

The formation of the Vestal Virgins may come as a surprise to many people. The ...

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