Editing Religion in ancient Rome (section)

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{{Ancient Roman religion}}
[[File:Roma, Museo Ara Pacis - Calco di Roma con Vittoria - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto, 30-Mar-2008.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Defaced ''[[Roma (goddess)|Dea Roma]]'' holding [[Victoria (mythology)|Victory]] and regarding an altar with a [[cornucopia]] and other offerings, copy of a relief panel from an altar or statue base]]

'''Religion in ancient Rome''' consisted of varying imperial and provincial religious practices, which were followed both by the [[Roman people|people of Rome]] as well as those who were brought under its rule.

The Romans thought of themselves as highly religious, and attributed their success as a world power to their collective piety ({{lang|la|[[pietas]]}}) in maintaining [[Pax deorum|good relations with the gods]]. Their [[Polytheism|polytheistic]] religion is known for having honoured [[List of Roman deities|many deities]].

The presence of [[Magna Graecia|Greeks on the Italian peninsula]] from the beginning of the historical period influenced [[Culture of ancient Rome|Roman culture]], introducing some religious practices that became fundamental, such as the {{lang|la|[[Cult (religious practice)|cultus]]}} of [[Apollo]]. The Romans looked for common ground between their major gods and those of the Greeks ({{lang|la|[[interpretatio graeca]]}}), adapting [[Greek mythology|Greek myths]] and iconography for Latin literature and [[Roman art]], as the [[Etruscans]] had. [[Etruscan religion]] was also a major influence, particularly on the practice of [[augury]], used by the state to seek the will of the gods. According to [[legend]]s, most of Rome's religious institutions could be traced to its [[Founding of Rome|founders]], particularly [[Numa Pompilius]], the [[Sabine]] second [[king of Rome]], who negotiated directly with [[Ancient Roman gods|the gods]]. This archaic religion was the foundation of the {{lang|la|[[mos maiorum]]}}, "the way of the ancestors" or simply "tradition", viewed as central to Roman identity.

Roman religion was practical and contractual, based on the principle of {{lang|la|[[do ut des]]}}, "I give that you might give". Religion depended on knowledge and the [[Orthopraxy|correct practice]] of prayer, rite, and sacrifice, not on faith or dogma, although [[Latin literature]] preserves learned speculation on the nature of the divine and its relation to human affairs. Even the most skeptical among Rome's intellectual elite such as [[Cicero]], who was an augur, saw religion as a source of social order. As the [[Roman Empire]] expanded, migrants to the capital brought their local [[Cult (religious practice)|cults]], many of which became popular among Romans. [[Christianity]] was eventually the most successful of these beliefs, and in 380 became the official [[state religion]].

For ordinary Romans, religion was a part of daily life.<ref>[[Jörg Rüpke]] (2007). "Roman Religion – Religions of Rome". In ''A Companion to Roman Religion''. Blackwell,. p. 4.</ref> Each home had a household shrine at which prayers and [[libation]]s to the family's [[household deity|domestic deities]] were offered. Neighbourhood shrines and sacred places such as springs and groves dotted the city.<ref>[[Apuleius]], ''Florides'' 1.1; [[John Scheid]], "Sacrifices for Gods and Ancestors" in ''A Companion to Roman Religion'' (Blackwell, 2007), p. 279.</ref> The [[Roman calendar]] was structured around religious observances. [[Women in Ancient Rome|Women]], [[Slavery in ancient Rome|slaves]], and children all participated in a range of religious activities. Some public rituals could be conducted only by women, and women formed what is perhaps Rome's most famous priesthood, the state-supported [[Vestal Virgin|Vestals]], who tended [[Sacred fire of Vesta|Rome's sacred hearth]] for centuries, until disbanded under Christian domination.