Religions of Rome: Volume 2, A Sourcebook (Paperback)

Mary Beard

ISBN 10: 0521456460 / ISBN 13: 9780521456463

Published by Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1998

About this Item

Paperback. Volume two reveals the extraordinary diversity of ancient Roman religion. A comprehensive sourcebook, it presents a wide range of documents illustrating religious life in the Roman world - from the foundations of the city in the eighth century BC to the Christian capital more than a thousand years later. Each document is given a full introduction, explanatory notes and bibliography, and acts as a starting point for further discussion. Through paintings, sculptures, coins and inscriptions, as well as literary texts in translation, the book explores the major themes and problems of Roman religion, such as sacrifice, the religious calendar, divination, ritual, and priesthood. Starting from the archaeological traces of the earliest cults of the city, it finishes with a series of texts in which Roman authors themselves reflect on the nature of their own religion, its history, even its funny side. Judaism and Christianity are given full coverage, as important elements in the religious world of the Roman empire. This book presents a wide range of documents illustrating religious life in the Roman world from the early Republic to the late Empire. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780521456463

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Religions of Rome: Volume 2, A Sourcebook (Paperback)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521456460
• ISBN 13: 9780521456463
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

This book, the second of the two volumes that make up Religions of Rome, presents a wide range of documents illustrating religious life in the Roman world from the early Republic to the late Empire (both visual evidence and texts in translation). More than just a "sourcebook," it explores some of the major themes and problems of Roman religion (such as sacrifice, the religious calendar, divination and prediction). Each document has an introduction, explanatory notes and bibliography, and is used as the starting point for further discussion.

Review

'This is an excellent book that answers any reader's questions on the religious life of the Romans.' The Australian National Review

' ... the best one-volume study in publication ... a well written book that should have a place of the shelf of every student of early European history, and on that of every theologian as well'. Theology

'These books are the result of years of patient scholarship and intellectual questioning. No other volume has covered such a time span so effectively and made such clear use of maps, illustrations and archaelogical evidence.' Robin Lane-Fox, British Museum Magazine