Religion of Ancient Rome Essay

Tags: ancient rome greek mythology ancient greece rome

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 1132 words ( 4 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 5

Page 1 of 4

The Roman people regarded themselves as highly religious. They linked their success as a powerful force in the world to their cordial relations with the gods. The victory by the Romans was essentially a religious occasion in which the generals exhibited their piety and zeal to serve society by dedicating a fraction of their fortunes to the gods. Jupiter was particularly called to attention in such circumstances because he was the god of justice in leadership. Following the Punic wars fought between 264 BC and 146 BC in which Rome fought hard to assert its power as a dominating authority, magistrates built many temples in honor of a deity who they depended on to guarantee success in the war (Religion in ancient Rome) (Roman mythology).

How Ancient Rome Practiced Religion




Ancient Romans recognized and offered prayer too many gods and goddesses. Some of the gods were of Roman origin but many more were imported. Worship was conducted in both public occasions and in the privacy of their homes (Carlos). Sacrifice and prayer was the main form of worship. They made sacrifices to both personal gods and those dedicated to public wellness by offering sacrifices at altars or in hearth. The sacrifices mainly constituted drink and food. They shared every meal with the gods. Animals including goats and birds were offered as sacrifices to the gods. Their blood offerings were served on goblets (Carnagie). Each home in ancient Rome had a shrine where the sacrifices were offered and libations made. Such sites were common across the city (Religion in ancient Rome).



People prayed in private as individuals as a matter of daily worship.

Stuck Writing Your "Religion of Ancient Rome" Essay?

View All Our Example Religion of Ancient Rome Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

Everyone prayed to their god to grant them their personal wishes and aspirations. People prayed holding their hands in the air with the palms of their hands held up. If anyone wished to talk to the underworld gods, they need to either stamp their feet on the ground or point their hands to the earth in order to draw the attention of the gods. The oldest male in the household led the prayers (Carnagie).



The Roman calendar was designed along religious functions and observances. In a single year, there were up to 135 days dedicated to religious rituals, games and festivals. Women, children and even slaves took part in the rituals (Religion in ancient Rome).



3) Compare religion in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. How are they related?



Both Greece and Roman societies worshiped gods and goddesses in their numbers and variety. It was believed that every phenomenon had a god in control of its occurrence. The Greek people identified a set of 12 deities that they believed influenced their lives most. This set was referred to as the gods of the Olympian. The Roman admired the Greek culture. They ended up recognizing their own deities in similar fashion that the Greek did (Carnagie). Both Greeks and Romans paid great attention to the gods. Their daily lives were punctuated with instances of their worship. Such important events as marriage, birth and death were considered important occasions and were religiously celebrated (Carnagie).



Greek and Roman religion had no rules of decorum though. Religious….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


Works Cited


"Roman mythology." n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

Carlos, Michael. Rome: mythology. n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

Atsma, Aaron. Greek mythology. 2000. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

Carnagie, Julie. Greco-Roman Religion and Philosophy. 2007. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

Alchin, Linda. Myths about the Roman God Apollo. n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

"Religion in ancient Rome." n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2017.

sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Religion Of Ancient Rome" (2017, February 27) Retrieved May 4, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/religion-ancient-rome-essay

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Religion Of Ancient Rome" 27 February 2017. Web.4 May. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/religion-ancient-rome-essay>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Religion Of Ancient Rome", 27 February 2017, Accessed.4 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/religion-ancient-rome-essay
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example