The following article is for anyone who has ever wondered about the religious beliefs and practices of ancient Rome. Learn more about the Romans' gods (the 'lares), and learn about their rituals. You'll also find out how they made sacrifices to win in battle. Then, you'll know why they were so influential in early Roman history.
Romans venerated 'lares.
The Romans worshipped 'lares,' a god of the weather, in a variety of ways. One or two divinities could be associated with the same location and people. The gods were often believed to protect their family and home from the destructive effects of southern winds or to keep the sickly season at bay. These gods were often depicted on sculptures, statues, or murals.
They worshiped and revered the sun
Sun worship was an established practice during the Roman Empire. It became the most important official religion. Numerous Roman gods were able to harness the sun's energy, making the sun the highest-ranking being in the pantheon. Even Christ and Mithra were given solar qualities. Constantine I, Roman Emperor, was the first to embrace sun worship. Constantius II his son legitimized sun cult by moving Jesus's birth date from December 25 to December 25.
They sacrificed their animals
The practice of animal sacrifice helped to shape political and socioeconomic hierarchies, and also allowed for civic compromise. It helped to communicate implicit beliefs about God. Romans believed animals to be part and parcel of the human race. They had the ability to either help or harm them. This belief was made almost divine through the sacrifice of animals.
They performed rituals to bring victory in battle
Romans were well-known to have performed rituals in order for them to win battles. Some rituals were performed in public while some were done privately. Many sacrifices were offered to the gods, heroes, and dead. These sacrifices could be public or private and could be in different forms. They could be food sacrifices to the gods or burned offerings to them. Romans offered blood for sacrifice.
They did 'augures' to predict what the future would look like.
Romans were adept at divination using 'augures.' They viewed the behavior of animals and parts of plants, as well as manmade objects. This practice was taken very seriously, as the gods were believed to have a hand in predicting the future.
They believed in Emperor worship
In the ancient world, the Romans believed in emperor worship, and many rituals and prescriptions were in place to honour the emperor. This devotion extended to more than politics.