The Origins of the Universe: Notes
Origins of the Universe
- For Rome's earliest period, history and myth are difficult to distinguish.
- The Roman mythological tradition is particularly rich in historical myths/legends, concerning the foundation/rise of the city.
- traditional stories handed down by the ancient Romans themselves explain the earliest history of their city in legend/myth.
- most familiar myths, Romulus and Remus, the twins who were suckled by a she-wolf.
- Used to describe how rome came to be
- Once boys grown up, decide to establish a city where wolf had found them
- The brothers quarrelled over where the site should be Remus killed by Romulus
Principal Beliefs
- Romans though themselves highly religious
- early Rome:simple animistic
- Centered around non personified spirits
- Gods not taking human form till later on
- Early rome; no temples/statues to honor gods
- First temples built under reign of etruscan Kings
- First temple built on Capitaline hill - honored jupiter, juno, minerva
- Religion seen as contact between man and gods
- Ceremonies performed with attention to detail
- Mistakes made = gods no longer holding their end of the contract between the gods and humankind - Along with contract - Votum
- Specific bow to gods
- Favor/blessing, promise completion of rituals/sacrifices if prayers answered
- Beginning of year, roman people offered collective vows for the salus (health, safety, wellbeing) if emperor.
- Also served as affirmation of political loyalty
- Success as a world power attributed to positive relationships with god
- Public officials served as Augars and Pontiffs
- Julius Caesar became Pontifex Maximus before elected consul
- Augars read will of gods, reflect universal order and supervised marking of boundaries
- Exapnsion of rome this became matter of divine destiny
- The triumph at core religious procession
- victorious general displays his piety/willingness to serve public by dedicating a portion of spoils to the gods, especially Jupiter, who embodied just rule
-
- For Rome's earliest period, history and myth are difficult to distinguish.
- The Roman mythological tradition is particularly rich in historical myths/legends, concerning the foundation/rise of the city.
- traditional stories handed down by the ancient Romans themselves explain the earliest history of their city in legend/myth.
- most familiar myths, Romulus and Remus, the twins who were suckled by a she-wolf.
- Used to describe how rome came to be
- Once boys grown up, decide to establish a city where wolf had found them
- The brothers quarrelled over where the site should be Remus killed by Romulus
Principal Beliefs
- Romans though themselves highly religious
- early Rome:simple animistic
- Centered around non personified spirits
- Gods not taking human form till later on
- Early rome; no temples/statues to honor gods
- First temples built under reign of etruscan Kings
- First temple built on Capitaline hill - honored jupiter, juno, minerva
- Religion seen as contact between man and gods
- Ceremonies performed with attention to detail
- Mistakes made = gods no longer holding their end of the contract between the gods and humankind - Along with contract - Votum
- Specific bow to gods
- Favor/blessing, promise completion of rituals/sacrifices if prayers answered
- Beginning of year, roman people offered collective vows for the salus (health, safety, wellbeing) if emperor.
- Also served as affirmation of political loyalty
- Success as a world power attributed to positive relationships with god
- Public officials served as Augars and Pontiffs
- Julius Caesar became Pontifex Maximus before elected consul
- Augars read will of gods, reflect universal order and supervised marking of boundaries
- Exapnsion of rome this became matter of divine destiny
- The triumph at core religious procession
- victorious general displays his piety/willingness to serve public by dedicating a portion of spoils to the gods, especially Jupiter, who embodied just rule
-