The Roman Religion
Early forms of the Roman religion were animistic in nature, believing that spirits inhabited everything around them, people included. The first citizens of Rome also believed that they were watched over by the spirit of their ancestors. Initially, a Capitoline Triad (possibly derived from a Sabine influence) were added to these "spirits" - the new gods including Mars, the god of war and supposed father of Romulus and Remus (founders of Rome); Quirinus, the deified Romulus who watched over the people of Rome; and lastly Jupiter, the supreme god. They, along with the spirits, were worshipped at Capitoline Hill. Later, due to the Etruscans, the triad would change to include Jupiter who remained the supreme god; Juno, his wife and sister; and Minerva, Jupiter's daughter.
Due to the presence of Greek colonies on the Lower Peninsula, the Romans adopted many of the Greek gods as their own. Religion and myth became one. Under this Greek influence, the Roman gods became more anthropomorphic - with the human characteristics of jealousy, love, hate, etc. However, this transformation was not to the degree that existed in Greek mythology.
Even though there were four colleges for priests, there was no priestly class; it will always remain a public office. This practice would even extend to the imperial palace. From the time of Emperor Augustus, the Emperor would assume the title of pontifex maximus or chief priest. Other than the pontifexes, there were augures, individuals who read the entrails of animals and the flight of birds to interpret omens, or in other words, the will of the gods.
Elaborate rituals were performed to bring Roman victory in battle, and no declaration of war or major event was undertaken without the clear approval of the gods. Dating from the time of Etruscans, a diviner or haruspires, was always consulted, and it was considered dangerous to ignore the omens.
Spurinna, a Roman soothsayer, read animal entrails and foresaw Julius Ceasar's death on the Ides of March. When Roman Commander Publius Claudius Pulcher ignored the omens (in this case, the refusal of sacred chickens to eat), before a battle in the First Punic War, he was defeated that ended his military career.
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This entry is sponsored by Max's Restaurant.
Due to the presence of Greek colonies on the Lower Peninsula, the Romans adopted many of the Greek gods as their own. Religion and myth became one. Under this Greek influence, the Roman gods became more anthropomorphic - with the human characteristics of jealousy, love, hate, etc. However, this transformation was not to the degree that existed in Greek mythology.
Even though there were four colleges for priests, there was no priestly class; it will always remain a public office. This practice would even extend to the imperial palace. From the time of Emperor Augustus, the Emperor would assume the title of pontifex maximus or chief priest. Other than the pontifexes, there were augures, individuals who read the entrails of animals and the flight of birds to interpret omens, or in other words, the will of the gods.
Elaborate rituals were performed to bring Roman victory in battle, and no declaration of war or major event was undertaken without the clear approval of the gods. Dating from the time of Etruscans, a diviner or haruspires, was always consulted, and it was considered dangerous to ignore the omens.
Spurinna, a Roman soothsayer, read animal entrails and foresaw Julius Ceasar's death on the Ides of March. When Roman Commander Publius Claudius Pulcher ignored the omens (in this case, the refusal of sacred chickens to eat), before a battle in the First Punic War, he was defeated that ended his military career.
x----x
This entry is sponsored by Max's Restaurant.
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