A Companion to Roman Religion

This companion provides a comprehensive treatment of Roman religion within its cultural, social, and historical contexts. Written by international experts, this volume offers a new approach, directing its focus away from the gods and concentrating on the human–figures of Roman religion. The book addresses the media through which religion was experienced and shared, including epigraphy, mosaics, wall–paintings, drama, and poetry, and provides, for example, the first ever history of religious motifs on coins. Placing the various discourses and practices into a larger geographical and cultural framework, this volume also considers the cults, gods, iconography, rituals, and texts that were exported widely throughout the empire, revealing the sprawling landscape of Roman religion. Judaism and Christianity are firmly placed within a strongly historical approach, covering the period from the eighth century BC to the fourth century AD.

List of Figures. List of Maps. Notes on Contributors. Acknowledgments. Abbreviations. Maps. 1 Roman Religion – Religions of Rome ( Jörg Rüpke ). 2 Approaching Roman Religion: The Case for Wissenschaftsgeschichte ( C. Robert Phillips, III ). Part I Changes. 3 The Religion of Archaic Rome ( Christopher Smith ). 4 Pre–Roman Italy, Before and Under the Romans ( Olivier de Cazanove ). 5 Urban Religion in the Middle and Late Republic ( Eric Orlin ). 6 Continuity and Change: Religion in the Augustan Semi–Century ( Karl Galinsky ). 7 Religions and the Integration of Cities in the Empire in the Second Century ad: The Creation of a Common Religious Language ( William Van Andringa ). 8 Old Religions Transformed: Religions and Religious Policy from Decius to Constantine ( Hartmut Leppin ). 9 Religious  Koine  and Religious Dissent in the Fourth Century ( Michele Renee Salzman ). Part II Media. 10 The History of Roman Religion in Roman Historiography and Epic ( Denis Feeney ). 11 Religion and Roman Coins ( Jonathan Williams ). 12 Reliefs, Public and Private ( Katja Moede ). 13 Inscriptions as Sources of Knowledge for Religions and Cults in the Roman World of Imperial Times ( Rudolf Haensch ). 14 Religion in the House ( Annemarie Kaufmann–Heinimann ). Part III Symbols and Practices. 15 Roman Cult Sites: A Pragmatic Approach ( Ulrike Egelhaaf–Gaiser ). 16 Complex Rituals: Games and Processions in Republican Rome ( Frank Bernstein ). 17 Performing the Sacred: Prayers and Hymns ( Frances Hickson Hahn ). 18 Music and Dance: Forms of Representation in Pictorial and Written Sources ( Friederike Fless and Katja Moede ). 19 Sacrifices for Gods and Ancestors ( John Scheid ). Part IV Actors and Actions. 20 Religious Actors in Daily Life: Practices and Related Beliefs ( Nicole Belayche ). 21 Republican  Nobiles : Controlling the  Res Publica  ( Veit Rosenberger ). 22 Emperors: Caring for the Empire and Their Successors ( Peter Herz ). 23 Urban Elites in the Roman East: Enhancing Regional Positions and Social Superiority ( Athanasios Rizakis ). 24 Living on Religion: Professionals and Personnel ( Marietta Horster ). Part V Different Religious Identities. 25 Roman Diaspora Judaism ( Jack N. Lightstone ). 26 Creating One′s Own Religion: Intellectual Choices ( Attilio Mastrocinque ). 27 Institutionalized Religious Options: Mithraism ( Richard Gordon ). 28 The Romanness of Roman Christianity ( Stefan Heid ). Part VI Roman Religion Outside and Seen from Outside. 29 Exporting Roman Religion ( Clifford Ando ). 30 Religion in the Roman East ( Ted Kaizer ). 31 Roman Religion in the Vision of Tertullian ( Cecilia Ames ). Bibliography. General Index. Index of Personal Names. Index of Places.

Jörg Rüpke is Chair of Comparative Religion at the University of Erfurt and coordinator of the Priority Program of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft 1080 “Roman imperial and provincial religion". His recent books include Religion of the Romans (2001), Rituals in Ink (2004), Fasti Sacerdotum (2005), Religion and Law , ed. with Clifford Ando, (2006), Zeit und Fest (2006), and Religions Orientales (2006).

"This Companion will in fact be sustaining company as we try to read these signs to find the meaning that compelled such commitment." (Phoenix, 2011) "Utilize[s] an appealing thematic organization.... Riipke′s editorial style nimbly shifts the reader′s focus from one point to another." ( Scholia Reviews , 2009) "I would recommend this volume as worthy reference status in any library for its many valuable gems of information." ( Journal of Classics Teaching , Autumn 2008) "Not by any means a volume for beginners, but an admirably full and ambitious reference book to which more advanced students can confidently be directed." ( Greece and Rome , 2008) "Issues ... have been explored ... but not in such an erudite, comprehensive collection ... a major contribution ... and a crucial addition to any serious collection. Essential." ( CHOICE ) "Provides a comprehensive treatment of Roman religion.... Written by international experts, this volume offers a new approach." ( Wordtrade.com )