Gods of Ancient Rome: Contracts with the Divine

Roman religion was a very definite 'contract' with the Gods, offering devotion and the blood sacrifices which 'fed' and nourished the gods, in exchange for their continued protection and for Rome's security and prestige. This 'contract' was a very real expectation that the gods were alive and aware, and that in return for the regular nourishment of human worship they could, and would, honor their part of the bargain. If this bargain was not honored, then its nullity could bring disaster. This was best shown by the utter astonishment in Rome at the news of the defeat at Cannae in 216 BC. Surely the gods were unhappy - and two Vestal Virgins were chosen to be buried alive to appease them!

The original gods and goddesses would be joined, but not superseded, by the importation of Greek gods, who with their names changed, but with their anthropomorphic characteristics intact, also served Rome and gave her their support. There would eventually be others, foreign gods from the East, bringing new ideas to Rome, along with outlandish and curious ceremonies, weird and wonderful gods like nothing ever before seen, requiring initiations, sacrifices and rituals of their own, performed by equally unusual priests, some of them celibate, who would add to the already replete Roman priesthood, with its many Flamens, Pontifices, Augurs and Haruspices, but bringing even a tantalising whiff of magic. All of these would eventually become accepted, by all classes of society.

With chapters on the Numina, emperor worship, the festivals and magic, Gods of Rome presents this complex but fascinating subject for the non-specialist reader.