CLAS/PHIL 2610. Paganism to Christianity

Lecture 6. Roman Pantheon I: Agricultural Deities and Animism

I. Early Roman History

A. Monarchy (753-510 BC)

Numa Pompilius (founder of Roman religion)

Etruscan (650 - 510 BC)

B. Republic (510 - 31 BC)

1. Early and Middle Republic (to 133 BC)

Expansion: Role of Religion (Evocatio = calling forth a god)

2. Late Republic (to 31 BC): Introduction of philosophy; Religious Crisis

II. Fundamental Elements of Roman Religion

Historical: Romulus and Remus

National: Fetiales (treaty / war priests)

Spatial: Pomerium (Rome's sacred boundary)

Practical: Cicero Nat.De. 3.87 "safe, secure, wealthy and opulent"

Political: Scipio at temple of Jupiter

Juridical: Pax deorum (peace / treaty with the gods)

III. Calendar (see reverse)

A. Nefastus and Fastus (Sacred and Profane days)

B. Festivals: Agriculture, War, Politics

IV. Agricultural Deites and Animism

A. Plurality of Numina (functional spirits)

B. Springs, Rivers, Groves: Pliny and river Clitumnus (Land and MacMullen no. 3.1); Horace and the Bandusian font

C. Produce

Consus: God of grain stores; horseraces

Flora: Goddess of blooms; games / striptease

Robigo: God of crop rust

Ceres: Goddess of grain growth (Demeter); games

Pales: God(s?) of sheep; Rome's birthday (April 21)