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The Religion of the Romans

ISBN: 978-0-745-63015-1

December 2007

Polity

368 pages

Description
The gods were the true heroes of Rome. In this major new contribution to our understanding of ancient history, Jörg Rüpke guides the reader through the fascinating world of Roman religion, describing its unique characteristics and bringing its peculiarities into stark relief.

Rüpke gives a thorough and engaging account of the multiplicity of cults worshipped by peasant and aristocrat alike, the many varied rites and rituals daily observed, and the sacrifices and offerings regularly brought to these immortals by the population of Ancient Rome and its imperial colonies.

This important study provides the perfect introduction to Roman religion for students of Ancient Rome and Classical Civilization.

About the Author
Jörg Rüpke is Professor of Comparative Religion Studies at the University of Erfurt.
Features

  • Rüpke is one of the leading contemporary experts in the field of Roman religion
  • An engaging and authoritative study of all aspects of the religion of the Romans
  • Offers a clear and comprehensive interpretation of the stuctures, practices and social reality of Roman religion, and will appeal to students, scholars and the general reader
  • An important contribution to the understanding of the historical implications of the Roman religious belief systems, which contains helpful and evocative illustrations