Roman Temples & Sanctuaries

Question 1

Describe the Roman altar

Answer 1

I was much the same as a Greek altar, being the most important part of cults & outside the temple. The Roman altar was in a very specific place, at the axis of the temple

Question 2

What were the 2 styles that influenced the Roman temple?

Answer 2

Greek & Etruscan

Question 3

How did the Roman-style temples differ from the Greek ones?

Answer 3

Romans needed more interior space or worship, whereas the Greeks worshipped outside. This led the Romans to pushing the columns to the edges, resulting in fake columns that just gave the temple the illusion of being colonnaded

Question 4

Who made up the Capitoline Triad?

Answer 4

Jupiter, Juno, & Minerva

Question 5

Outline the steps of animal sacrifice

Answer 5

Preparation, preliminary rites, consecrating the offering, sacrificial offering & banquet

Question 6

Were the Roman sacrifices similar to the Greek ones?

Answer 6

Yes, the sacrificial rituals are mostly the same, save for a few differences. In Rome the sacrifices had days reserved on the calendar, the sacrifice was necessarily performed by a priest, they had to wear a specific outfit & the head must be veiled

Question 7

What were “ex voto” offerings?

Answer 7

Thank-you offerings. Things dedicated after the fulfillment of a vow

Question 8

What was different about Roman vows?

Answer 8

The date of fulfillment often fell on a specific day, usually corresponded with the new year (March 15 under the Republic, January 1 from 153 AD onward)

Question 9

What was Devotio?

Answer 9

Vowing ones enemies to the gods, usually done by soldiers or generals

Question 10

What was the Defixo?

Answer 10

A variety of the Devotio: consisted of cursing your enemy or rival

Question 11

Was there any connection between religion & magic?

Answer 11

All of these show that there was No Separation between religion & magic. It was performed as the dame thing

Question 12

Describe the Roman cult places

Answer 12

There was an infinite amount of locations for a cult, no matter what deity. In general, the Roman cult place consisted of an altar in an open area, a temple, & various chambers for various ritual functions

Question 13

What is the difference between Roman & Greek gods?

Answer 13

The original Roman gods (before Greek influence), were far less anthropomorphized & were more like spirits that haunted the earth. After contact with Greece and the adaptation of many of their gods, they became more humanized