Religion in Archaic and Republican Rome and Italy: Evidence and Experience

by Edward Bispham (Editor), Christopher Smith (Editor)

Overview

As Rome extended its influence throughout Italy, gradually incorporating its various peoples in a process of Romanization and conquest, its religion was extensively influenced by the cults of religious practices of its new subjects and citizens. It was a period of intense religious ferment and creativity. Roman religion, controlled and determined by religious and political functionaries who mediated between humans, had centred on a select pantheon of gods with Jupiter at its head. It was a religion in the process of becoming the servant of the state, however genuine its priests and votaries might be. Understanding the dynamics of religious change is fundamental to understanding the changing culture and politics of Rome during the last five centuries B.C. Religion in Archaic and Republic Rome and Italy tells that story.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781579583255
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/01/2001
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Bispham, Edward; Smith, Christopher

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction, Edward Bispham; Chapter 2 An Anthropologist’s View of Ritual, Nicole Bourque; Chapter 3 Tuscan Order: The Development of Etruscan Sanctuary Architecture, Vedia Izzet; Chapter 4 Sacred Rubbish, Fay Glinister; Chapter 5 Some Thoughts on the ‘Religious Romanisation’ of Italy Before the Social War, Olivier de Cazanove, Edward Bispham; Chapter 6 From Concordia to the Quirinal:, Emmanuele Curti; Chapter 7 Prophet and Text in the Third Century BC, J. A. North; Chapter 8 The Games of Hercules, T. P. Wiseman; Chapter 9 Looking Beyond the Civic Compromise:, Andreas Bendlin; Chapter 10 Worshipping Mater Matuta:, Christopher Smith;

Editorial Reviews

This collection of papers was first presented at a 1997 conference in Edinburgh, and now includes an introduction by Bispham (ancient history, U. of Oxford) and an additional essay by Smith (ancient history, U. of St. Andrews, Scotland). Among other topics, the contributors (academics in archaeology and classical studies) consider anthropological approaches to ritual, the form and decoration of Etruscan temples, the possible ritual deposition of Etruscan terracottas, the relation of the introduction of new gods to political and social change, and the use of prophecy in the first through third centuries. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

The articles in this volume are well-written and the authors and editors have evidently taken care to ensure that their work is accessible to the widest possible audience. The majority of the papers contain a convenient appraisal of the current state of research including appropriate theoretical approaches…this is a volume that should be read by anyone with a serious interest in the religious history of archaic and republican Rome."

Scholia

this is a book that students of early Roman religion should read thoroughly and carefully. There is much here that is exciting…. The articles in this volume will surely spark dialogue and further research

Bryn Mwr Classical Review

A most stimulating book

Ancient West and East

The contributors have managed to write interesting and innovative chapters, and the book as a whole emerges as a counter to those who have downplayed elements like belief and emotion in the study of Roman religion in recent years."

Prudentia