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Transcript
RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS OF EARLY ROME Greeks and Etruscan Influence Etruscans ruled northern Italy from the planes of Etruria 900BC to 500BC Beginning of the 8th century and continuing over the next three centuries, Etruria, Latium and Campania witnessed a series of political, social and cultural innovations that would lead to the formation of the first central Italian city-states. Greeks first came into contact with people of Italy in 900 BC. By 775 Greeks had established a settlement on the Island of Pitecusa in the Bay of Naples. This would establish trade and access to metals. South-eastern and northern coasts of Sicily were filled with Greek city-states which would be later known as the ‘Great Greece.’ The first Greek gods had had entered the Roman pantheon in the early part of the fifth century BC. With the entry of Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine, in 293BC a new wave of importations began, until by the end of the third century the amalgamation of Greek and Roman religion was complete. Role of Religion Within Roman Society The State and Religion The state was essentially a religious institution, embracing and incorporating all older and smaller social and religious communities. Values of Early Roman Society The Romans acted within a framework of commonly held values and moral assumptions. They developed a set of values including, virtue, piety, faith, gravity and consistency, dignitas and auctoritas. Social: The Priesthoods and Priestly Colleges During the Republic, public priests organised public rituals and under the King as the chief priest appointed priests to act as the King’s assistants. The four priestly colleges include, pontiff, augurs, fietals, duovirs, and sodalitates. Politics/Military Primary sources reveal the significance of religion within the military and political aspects of Roman society. The Romans would worship and ask for protection as they were to embark in their battles and to seal treaties with foreign countries. Omens were also used to determine if war should occur and the what the fate of the gods were in particular political situations such as appointing a king. Roman Calendar Each day of the Roman calendar has a mark of religious significance illustrating the influence of religion within the everyday life of a Roman. As a primary source, the calendar has been reconstructed and based on the Calendar at Anzio in 1915, where only five months are considered within this section. Private and Public Gods Both the state and individuals were subordinate to spirits and gods who occupied hierarchical position of superiority. A religion of home, farm and pasture was concern with present rather than past or future needs. When the religion of the home became the religion of the state, it make concrete a single community and gave the state an internal strength and cohesion that ensured for centuries. Jupiter – god of the giver of light, the unseen force in lightening, storm and rain Mars - protector of the farmer of crops and herds and later as god of war and defender of the Roman state. Worship and Honouring the Gods Prayer and Sacrifices A Roman sacrifice was made in the conviction that it was good for the spirits and the worshipper that the offerings increased the spirits’ power to perform their spiritual functions for the giver’s benefit. Ceremonies and Festivals Numerous primary sources reveal the various festivities, which were held throughout the year in order to honour the gods. Some include the Fordicidia and Terminalia, which took place in spring, the Liberalia, for Liber (the god of wine). The festivals would include sacrifices followed by performances and chariot races. Boatwright, M.T., D.J. Gargola, N. Lenski, and R.J.A. Talbert. (2011). The Romans: From Village to Empire. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press. Heichelheim, F., Yeo, C., & Ward, A. (2003). A history of the Roman people (Fourth Edition ed.). Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.