An Introduction to Roman Religion by John Scheid

The theme of each chapter-methodology, structure, rituals, actors, interpretations of Roman religion-is carefully developed. Scheid (ancient history, École (Ecole) Pratiques des Hautes Études (Etudes), Paris), one of the most distinguished scholars of Roman religion, now offers a brilliant, historically grounded interpretation that will interest scholars as well as the students (French, originally) for whom it was written. Robert Turcan's The Gods of Ancient Rome (2000) offers an innovative and historically grounded interpretation (without the lists), while Valerie Warrior's Roman Religion (2002) sticks to sources without the history. Among recent efforts, Beard, North, and Price's Religions of Rome (CH, Feb'99) offers both sources and interpretations, but is essentially a reference book. Without anything much to interpret, interpretation has regularly fallen into minutely descriptive lists of gods and rituals. 'Lacking (apparently) a native mythology or images of its gods, Roman religion has always seemed barren to scholars. 494, a full glossary, and an annotated guide to further reading. In addition to its clear and accessible presentation, Roman Religion includes quotations from primary sources, a chronology of religious and historical events from 750 B.C. The text is usefully organized around major themes, such as the origins of Roman religion, the importance of the religious calendar, the structure of religious space, the forms of religious services and rituals, and the gods, priests, and core theologies that shaped religious observance. It draws on the latest findings in archaeology and history to explain the meanings of rituals, rites, auspices, and oracles, to describe the uses of temples and sacred ground, and to evoke the daily patterns of religious life and observance within the city of Rome and its environs.

Written by one of the world's leading scholars of the Roman world, An Introduction to Roman Religion offers students a complete portrait of religion in Rome during the late republic and early empire.

An Introduction to Roman Religion by John Scheid