Ceremonies And Ways Of Worshiping
Religion played a very important role in the daily life of Ancient Rome and the Romans. Roman religion was centred around gods and explanations for events usually involved the gods in some way or another. The Romans believed that gods controlled their lives and, as a result, spent a great deal of their time worshiping them.
Temples to worship the gods were built throughout the Roman Empire. Temples usually always followed the same building pattern. The roof was triangular shaped and supported by great pillars. Steps led up to the main doorway that was usually built behind the pillars. The inside of the temple would have been very well decorated and there would have been a statue of the god in it. There would also have been an altar where a priest would have served the god and made sacrifices. People called augurs could also be found in the temples. These people used the entrails of the dead animals to predict the future. The Romans took these predictions very seriously and few ignored the advice of an augur. Each family home would also have a small altar and shrine. The Romans had personal household gods or spirits called 'lares' which were worshipped every day at home. The shrine contained statues of the 'lares' and the head of the household led family prayers around the shrine each day. The service was considered so important that family slaves were also invited. It is believed that most Romans were more keen to please their 'lares' than the other gods such as Jupiter. Besides the worship of these gods there were several cults - Bacchus, Cybele, Isis, Sarapis, Sibyl, and most of all the Imperial Cult. Some were readily accepted by Roman society while others were feared by those in power. Bacchus was a Roman deity associated with both the Greek god Dionysus and the early Roman god Liber Patri, also a wine god. Bacchus is best remembered for his intoxicating festivals held on March 17, a day when a Roman male youth would supposedly become a man. As his cult spread, the Roman Senate realized its dangerous potential and ordered its suppression in 186 BCE and afterwards, the cult went underground. Ancient Roman Religion and Ceremonies - Sacrifices The fundamental basis of the Ancient Roman Religion and many of the ceremonies was based on the belief that if the Gods and Goddesses were happy then Rome and the Romans would receive good fortune. Sacrificial offerings were therefore made to the ancient Roman gods. The types of sacrifices were very specific and highly ritualised. The sex of the animal had to correspond to the sex of the god or goddess to whom it was offered in sacrifice. White animals were sacrificed to the gods of the upper world whereas black animals to the underworld. Outside all of the Roman temples various traders sold small birds and animals for the Romans to offer. Public and private sacrifices were made on a daily basis. Statues of Roman gods and goddesses were erected at the corners of the streets, in the market-places and over the public fountains. |