Rome - Roman State Religion Flashcards
What did the Romans believe about state religion?
That the state could only prosper if the gods were on their side
What did pax deorum mean?
In return for the appropriate rites and respect, the Romans were assured of the protection of the gods at all times.
Define polytheism
Comes from the Greek word poly meaning ‘many’ and theos, meaning ‘god’ - it shows us that Romans followed a religion that worshipped many Gods.
What was Anthropomorphism?
The word ‘anthropomorphic’ comes from the Greek ‘anthropos’ meaning ‘human’ and ‘morphe’ meaning ‘form’ - it characterises beings with human shape.
What were some of the key differences and similarities between humans and the gods who were anthropomorphised?
The gods were taller, stronger, more handsome and did not age. However, the gods could reproduce, consume food and were subject to mortal emotions such as love, anger and jealousy.
When a roman prayed, what did he have to ensure?
He used the correct name of the god or spirit, he selected the appropriate function of the god, if the god or goddess had a particular place associated with them then this had to be mentioned in the prayer, he did not ask for too much, thereby offending the god, he used the correct wording (nothing left out and order of words correct)
What were some problems with prayers?
Some romans were confused as to which god or goddess to address in their prayers, there were some gods who were never addressed by name because they were considered to be too powerful (nefandi), there were no guarantees that the prayers would be answered by the gods.
What happened if a priest leading a state prayer made a mistake?
He had to repeat the prayer plus another prayer asking the god for pardon - thus, emphasising how fixed and formal state prayers were.
What happened on big occasions of state?
all the gods would be collectively addressed in a prayer to ensure none were offended by omission.
What happened at official ceremonies?
A priest would recite the prayer line by line and the official would repeat it. Flutes were played to drum out any sounds which might offend the god; small bells were used to attract the god’s attention.
What was the large handbook of invocations and how was it used?
callings to the gods which were consulted on almost every occasion. It gave an opportunity to work out which god to pray to and which specific power you were requesting.
Who would be called upon to lead state prayers and what was their role?
Magistrates (government officials) and they would employ the help of a professional priest who would read the prayer and the magistrate would repeat it back after him.
What were the disastrous consequences of an incorrectly said prayer?
It had to be started again, the people of Lanuvium had to give fresh sacrifices which were expensive, Gaius Cornelius (the consul) was injured and then died.
How important were prayers?
For many Romans there was a constant anxiety to establish contact with the Gods (the gods had control over how easy/difficult your life was), because the prayers were so detailed and specific because the romans believed they worked, they spent a lot of time ensuring they were correct which tells us the gods thought there was a serious chance the god might assist them, people could use prayers to make themselves look good - they could be rewarded for their loyalty to the god/goddess.
Explain votive offerings and how they were used
Votive offerings were gifts made to the gods by individuals or by states either before or after a favour. A votive offering had to be made aloud before witnesses and accompanied by a prayer. If the prayer was fulfilled it was necessary that the individual concerned gave the offering promised.
When would romans promise gods an offering?
If things went well, e.g., if someone recovered from an illness or came home safe from a battle.
What were some reasons for sacrifice?
To ask the god for help, to thank the god for help, to celebrate an occasion, the ancient gods were believed to ‘do’ things e.g. they repelled diseases and helped ensure safe births, sacrifices were believed to help ‘fuel’ the gods’ energy and help them to carry out their actions.
Who would conduct a sacrifice?
It was mostly men, although some women could carry them out too. Often generals would conduct a sacrifice or lead a prayer before battle or war. Politicians too would offer sacrifices and prayers before decisions of state. Priests to specific gods would conduct sacrifices daily.
What things would the romans sacrifice and consider the ‘principle of life’?
Things that helped sustain life such as food, liquid or it could be a living animal.
What were examples of common things romans sacrificed?
Food, drink, e.g. cheese, fruit, salted meal, honey, milk, wine for libation (act of pouring) and also blood sacrifices were common (of a living creature).
Where would state sacrifice take place and what happened?
they would largely take place at festivals and magistrates, with the help of priests, performed blood sacrifices.
What were rules concerning the victim for blood sacrifice?
white beasts for gods of the upper air, black beasts for gods of the underworld, male victims for gods, female victims for goddesses, certain victims for certain gods, romans could seek advice from the priest at a particular temple as to which animal would be best to sacrifice, the animal had to be free from any imperfections otherwise it would be considered an unworthy sacrifice.
Where was a sacrifice made?
on the altar outside the temple
What happened at the sacrificial ceremony?
-procession made its way to the altar
-victim’s horns were decorated with ribbons
-priests washed their hands from a special bowl
-silence, except from the flute
-priests heads covered by their toga
-sprinkled salted meal between the horns of the victim and on the knife
-wine was poured over the victim’s head
-the ribbons were removed from the victim
-prayer to the god
-one attendant lead the beast to the altar
-another attendant said ‘do i strike’ and struck the beast with an axe - to ensure quick death to show that the animal was a willing gift to the god/goddess
-the knife man slit its throat, holding the head upwards if if the sacrifice was for a heavenly god and downwards if it was for a god of the underworld.
-the internal organs were removed for examination
-if they had no defects, they were cut up and burned for the god
How important were sacrifices?
The fact that they were central to Roman religion suggests that the sacrifices were highly important to the Romans, as the aim of every sacrifice was to ensure that the gods were listening so they would grant them a favour.
- the most vital part of the animals in blood sacrifice were dedicated as a gift to the gods. This would be the heart, liver, kidneys, gallbladder etc - the rest of the animal would be cooked in near-by kitchens and offered to the attendees of the sacrifice
-sacrifices were often highly emotional experiences.
What was divination and what were omens?
Divination and omens were ways of contacting the gods to ask for advice, support, or to see whether their prayers and sacrifices were suitable enough for the gods.
What were signa impetrativa and signa oblativa?
signs asked for and signs unasked for
What is an augur and what was their role in the divination process?
augurs are priests who advised magistrates about the meaning of the signs.
Describe the process of watching the flight of birds (signa impetrativa)
the magistrate watched a certain area of the sky for any sign of birds. The augur, blindfolded, interpreted the signs e.g. the eagle and vulture gave signs in their flight and the raven, owl and crow gave signs in their cries
Describe the process of observing birds eating (signa impetrativa)
special sacred chickens kept in cages were taken into battle for consultation: they were observed at their meal before important events. If they ate greedily, this was a good omen and if they refused food or flew away this was a bad omen.
Describe the process of watching lightning (signa impetrativa)
it was good luck if it flashed on the left. Lightning watching was hugely open to abuse and corruption
What was haruspicium? An example of an unasked for omen
examining the livers and other organs of the victim after a sacrifice. There was a society of 60 recognised haruspices or soothsayers who were able to decide whether or not the evidence of the livers showed good or bad omens.
