Archaic Roman Religion

Question 1

what did Early Roman Religion look like (752 BCE – 200 BCE)?

Archaic era to Middle Republic

Answer 1

• starts animistic then becomes anthropomorphic
• focused on ritual, not worship of the gods
• gods associated with divinized processes (agricultural, natural, & social)
• many gods are multidimensional but have no personality
• no aetiological myths
• no artistic depictions of the gods
• religion transformed as Rome became urbanized

divinized processes: e.g. the god of marriage, the god of ploughing

traditional perspective

Question 2

what were the two main schools of thought in Early Roman Religion?

Answer 2

traditional perspective (ritual over worship)
alternative perspective:
* religion was not a divinized process
* abandons the notion that an “uncorrupted” version of Roman religion ever existed

Question 3

what is numen?

Answer 3

“divine power” present in objects & other non-divine phenomena

Question 4

who made up the
‘Archaic triad’?

Answer 4

• Jupiter, Mars, & Quirinus
• Quirinus = god of agriculture & farmers; associated w/ diefied Romulus
• Numa = Roman king who created flamen (priests) for the triad

Question 5

who were fetial priests & what did they do?

Answer 5

• college of 20 priets
• one must be the “designated father” (i.e. official herald of the Roman people)
• employed to make declarations of war
• must recite a formula before & after crossing enemy territory, at city gates, marketplace, etc.

Question 6

what was the sacred spring?

Answer 6

• religious vow made by Roman state during times of crisis (e.g. war)
• Romans will consecrate all animals born in coming spring if gods grant victory