Archaic Roman Religion

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, one of our lovely Patreons requested that we talk about archaic Roman religion. Religion is Dr G’s favourite topic, so we decided it was well and truly time for us to chat about what the Romans were up to in their early days.

As with all aspects of the archaic period, it can be difficult to find reliable and detailed source material for certain aspects of religious life. However, the gods were hugely important to the Romans, so there are a variety of sources that we can use to piece together an accurate picture. This includes:

· shrines, temples and tombs

· inscriptions

· votive offerings

· the religious calendar

· artwork, such as frescoes and sculptures

· coinage

· the priestly colleges

· details of rituals

· Records, including from groups like the Arval Brethren, a group of 12 priests who worshipped Dea Dia, an agricultural goddess

· Roman law

· Extra special sources like the Iguvine Tablets from the mid to late Republic, which were written in Umbrian

· as well as literary sources

Where did religion sit in ancient Rome?

We discuss the nature and role of Roman religion in society, whilst trying to mythbust the belief that the Romans just stole everything from the Greeks.

Archaic Roman religion is fascinating, with deities like Quirinus and Robigo (goddess of grain mildew) seeming to date back a long way. As Rome progressed, the state cults became more formalised and ritualised, and new gods were incorporated. You may recall that when the Romans conquered Veii in 396 BCE, they went to great lengths to coax the resident goddess, Juno Regina, to their city. Roman expansion allowed them to come into contact with a greater variety of deities.

There were several important priestly positions in Rome that we refer to in this episode, so here’s your cheat sheet:

· Rex sacrorum/ Rex sacrificulus – The rex sacrorum was a patrician and seems to have assumed the priestly duties of the kings in the Republic.

· Flamen Dialis (Jupiter)

· Flamen Martialis (Mars)

· Flamens Quirinalis (Quirinus – eventually associated with Romulus)

· Pontifex Maximus (chief pontiff or priest)

· And then there were minor flamens, who served gods such as Vulcan, Ceres and Flora

· And, of course, we also talk about the Vestals! Dr G would never leave these ladies out

Getting Personal

On a more personal level, the Romans were also surrounded by the lares, guardian spirits who were seemingly connected to place, such as the hearth, streets, neighbourhoods and boundaries. If you have been to Pompeii or Herculaneum, you may have seen a lararium, or one of the shrines that people could have in their houses for these deities. Their origin is debated, but no one can deny their presence in the Roman world.

Thinks to Look Out For:

· Augury – and our musings on how the Romans would have responded to kookaburras

· The importance of nature

· The invention of a new dessert: Flamines banana

· The sacred tree house where only patricians are allowed

For our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/

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