Verum aut Falsum: Romans were intolerant of other religions and made the conquered convert to their religion
falsum
What were omina? What were they intended for?
omens or warnings from the gods about possible danger/misfortune meant to help them avoid the negative event
Verum aut Falsum: Romans deified their Emperors while they were alive
Falsum
Haruspices and Augures both read omens. How did each profession read the omens?
H - livers/other things about the sacrifice of animals; A - read the signs of birds
What was the role of the Pontifex Maximus? Who held that role? Who holds this title now?
The Chief Priest - well connected political men - became the Emperor in later times; the Pope now
Name TWO things that were typically on a curse tablet
name of the offender (or potentials), invocation of a god, crime, wanted punishment, magic words (Voces Magicae), images (Characteres)
Name TWO things that were typically on a curse tablet
name of the offender (or potentials), invocation of a god, crime, wanted punishment, magic words (Voces Magicae), images (Characteres)
What was Vesta the goddess of, and why was she important to Romans?
the hearth; her priestesses, the Vestal Virgins tended the sacred fire of Rome
Name TWO reasons it was beneficial to promote Roman religion and emperor worship in the provinces
people looked to Rome to improve their careers; it made Roman rule acceptable; reduced the chance of uprisings, gave people a sense of belonging to the empire
What are voces magicae and characteres?
meaningless, magical words to increase the effect of the curse; symbols/images used on the curse
Numina v. Vota
divine spirits/power v. offerings to the gods
Verum aut falsum: Vota were spirits or divinities that were seen in natural phenomena
Falsum (that was numina)
The book named 9 major ROMAN gods that were worshipped; name THREE of them