Foreign Cults in Rome

Creating a Roman Empire

Nonfiction, History, Ancient History, Rome, Religion & Spirituality, Reference
Cover of the book Foreign Cults in Rome by Eric Orlin, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Eric Orlin ISBN: 9780190453466
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: August 27, 2010
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Eric Orlin
ISBN: 9780190453466
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: August 27, 2010
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Religion is a particularly useful field within which to study Roman self-definition, for the Romans considered themselves to be the most religious of all peoples and ascribed their imperial success to their religiosity. This study builds on the observation that the Romans were remarkably open to outside influences to explore how installing foreign religious elements as part of their own religious system affected their notions of what it meant to be Roman. The inclusion of so many foreign elements posed difficulties for defining a sense of Romanness at the very moment when a territorial definition was becoming obsolete. Using models drawn from anthropology, this book demonstrates that Roman religious activity beginning in the middle Republic (early third century B.C.E.) contributed to redrawing the boundaries of Romanness. The methods by which the Romans absorbed cults and priests and their development of practices in regard to expiations and the celebration of ludi allowed them to recreate a clear sense of identity, one that could include the peoples they had conquered. While this identity faced further challenges during the civil wars of the Late Republic, the book suggests that Roman openness remained a vital part of their religious behavior during this time. Foreign Cults in Rome concludes with a brief look at the reforms of the first emperor Augustus, whose activity can be understood in light of Republican activity, and whose actions laid the foundation for further adaptation under the Empire.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Religion is a particularly useful field within which to study Roman self-definition, for the Romans considered themselves to be the most religious of all peoples and ascribed their imperial success to their religiosity. This study builds on the observation that the Romans were remarkably open to outside influences to explore how installing foreign religious elements as part of their own religious system affected their notions of what it meant to be Roman. The inclusion of so many foreign elements posed difficulties for defining a sense of Romanness at the very moment when a territorial definition was becoming obsolete. Using models drawn from anthropology, this book demonstrates that Roman religious activity beginning in the middle Republic (early third century B.C.E.) contributed to redrawing the boundaries of Romanness. The methods by which the Romans absorbed cults and priests and their development of practices in regard to expiations and the celebration of ludi allowed them to recreate a clear sense of identity, one that could include the peoples they had conquered. While this identity faced further challenges during the civil wars of the Late Republic, the book suggests that Roman openness remained a vital part of their religious behavior during this time. Foreign Cults in Rome concludes with a brief look at the reforms of the first emperor Augustus, whose activity can be understood in light of Republican activity, and whose actions laid the foundation for further adaptation under the Empire.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Space and Time: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book Intimate Justice by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book The World from 1000 BCE to 300 CE by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of New Audiovisual Aesthetics by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book Protestantism after 500 Years by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book Julius II: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book Where the Millennials Will Take Us by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book The History of Neuroscience in Autobiography Volume 6 by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book Hi-de-ho:The Life of Cab Calloway by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book Into the Fire by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book Lust by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book Integrative Psychiatry and Brain Health by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book Django by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book The Ubiquitous Siva by Eric Orlin
Cover of the book Mindful America by Eric Orlin
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy