If you've ever wondered about the religious beliefs of ancient Rome, you've come to the right place. Learn about the 'lares' or gods that Romans worshipped, their rituals, and their sacrifices for victory in battle. This will help you understand why the 'lares' were so influential in early Roman History.
Romans worshipped lares'
Romans worshipped "lares," a god of the weather. One or two divinities could be associated with the same location and people. They were believed to be able to protect their families and homes from the devastating effects of the Southern Winds or to prevent the sickly season. These gods were often depicted in sculptures, statues, and murals.
They worshiped and revered the sun
Sun worship was the dominant religion during the Roman Empire. Many Roman gods had solar characteristics, and the sun was considered the highest being in all of the pantheon. Even Christ, Mithra and others were granted solar qualities. Constantine I, Roman emperor, who was the first one to embrace the suncult, was a firm proponent. Constantius II, Constantine's son, was a strong proponent of the sun cult. He changed Jesus' birth date to December 25, changing it from January 25.
They sacrificed the animals
Animal sacrifice was a practice which helped shape political, socio-economic hierarchies. It also led to civic compromise. It was also used to communicate implicit beliefs regarding the divinity. Romans believed that animals were part of the universe and could help or harm people. These beliefs were made possible by animal sacrifice.
They had to perform rituals in order to win the war.
The Romans were known to perform rituals in order to win battles. Some rituals were performed in public while some were done privately. The sacrifices they offered were often made to the gods, to heroes, or to the dead. These sacrifices can be made in public or private settings and may take many forms. They could be food sacrifices or burnt offerings to the gods. The Romans also offered blood as a sacrifice.
They did 'augures' to predict what the future would look like.
Romans believed in 'augures', or divination through looking at signs of the times. They looked at both the behavior of animals and plant parts, as they did man-made items. This practice was taken seriously because the gods were believed had a hand in predicting future events.
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 well beyond politics.