Description
This module explores Roman religion as an integral part of ancient society, life and culture. Spanning from the mid-Republic to the early Empire, it traces the developments within religion in the context of this period of great political and social change. Students will consider how religion, politics, historical events and cultural shifts all interacted and influenced each other, developing a well-rounded understanding of ancient society and religion’s place within that. Students will also be introduced to both ancient and modern debates as to the nature and role of religion and its place in wider society. Through a series of thematic topics, this module will draw upon literary, material and archaeological evidence, including Cicero’s dialogues and Horace’s Saecular Hymn, inscribed religious calendars and votive offerings. These will allow students to create a wide-ranging understanding of the importance of religion in both the public and private spheres among a range of demographics. This module will invite students to consider problems of evidentiary bias; when the majority of our surviving sources concern monumental, public and elite religion, how might we uncover the religious experience of the lower classes, women or children?
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
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