Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #317033 in Books
• Published on: 1998-06-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 430 pages

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

Customer Reviews

Good Companion To The Other Book
Whilst the previous volume was a narrative history, this one is a book of sources. This means it probably won't interest the casual reader as much as the first volume, but it is a must for the student.

All the sources are well chosen, and provide depth as well as variety. If you're new to the field, then this book will be your introduction to lots of the primary sources which you may want to go and research in greater detail. This makes it a good starting point to use when researching for an essay, and will lead you to the rest of your bibliography.

The authors also provide introductions and notes along with the primary evidence, helping to explain it and set the context in a way suitable for someone with minimal or no prior knowledge of Roman religion.