The Religious Life of Ancient Rome (Classic Reprint)

Jesse Benedict Carter

ISBN 10: 1330215702 / ISBN 13: 9781330215708

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book is a historical analysis of the changing religious identity of ancient Rome and an examination of its impact on the Roman people. The author demonstrates that Roman religion was not a fixed and static entity but rather a fluid and evolving phenomenon, shaped by both internal and external forces. Rome's earliest religion was a primitive animistic system focused on the practical concerns of agricultural life. This was later supplemented by the patriotic and militaristic religion of the Etruscans, who came to dominate Rome in the 6th century BCE. The author argues that the Etruscan influence was crucial in shaping Rome's sense of national identity and purpose. Over time, Rome came into contact with the more sophisticated and philosophical religions of Greece. This led to a decline in traditional religious beliefs and the rise of skepticism and individualism. The author traces the impact of Greek thought on Roman religion through the writings of Cicero and others. The book concludes by examining the rise of Christianity and its eventual triumph over the traditional Roman religion. The author argues that this triumph was due in part to Christianity's ability to offer a sense of individual salvation and purpose in a world that was increasingly complex and uncertain. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781330215708_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Religious Life of Ancient Rome (Classic Reprint)
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1330215702
• ISBN 13: 9781330215708
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Christianity

About this title

Synopsis

Explore how Rome’s religious life shaped a civilization and influenced Western thought. This scholarly classic surveys Rome from its earliest rites to the late medieval imagination, tracing how faith, state power, and culture fed each other across millennia.

From the conservatism of the mos maiorum to the rise of Christianity and the dramatic figures who tested Rome’s beliefs, the book examines religion not as a set of beliefs alone but as a living force that guided politics, art, and daily life. It offers a broad, structured view of how religion interacted with culture, law, and philosophy as Rome evolved.

• See how Rome’s rituals, institutions, and moral ideas developed over time.


• Understand the shift from religion as a social instinct to religion as a personal conviction.


• Learn how Greek, Etruscan, and Oriental influences intersected with Roman practice.


• Discover how ideas of salvation, faith, and reason contested and shaped religious life.

Ideal for readers of ancient history, religious studies, and philosophy seeking a clear, readable account of Rome’s spiritual evolution.