You're in the right place if you have ever been curious about ancient Rome's religious beliefs. Learn about the 'lares' or gods that Romans worshipped, their rituals, and their sacrifices for victory in battle. Then you will understand why they were so important in early Roman history.
Romans worshipped lares'
The Romans worshipped 'lares,' a god of the weather, in a variety of ways. These gods could be single or paired divinities and were often associated to the same people and places. 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 in sculptures, statues, and murals.
They worshiped and revered the sun
Sun worship became the Roman Empire's dominant 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, who was the first one to embrace the suncult, was a firm proponent. Constantius II was his son and he legitimized this sun cult when he changed the date of Jesus' birth to December 25.
They sacrificed animals
Animal sacrifice was a practice, which helped to create political and social-economic hierarchies. It was also used to communicate implicit beliefs regarding the divinity. Romans believed animals to be part and parcel of the human race. They had the ability to either help or harm them. These beliefs were made possible by animal sacrifice.
They had to perform rituals in order to win the war.
Romans were well-known to have performed rituals in order for them to win battles. Some rituals were open to the public, while others were more private. The sacrifices that they made were often offered to the gods and heroes or the dead. These sacrifices can be made in public or private settings and may take many forms. They could be food sacrifices of the gods or burnt offerings. Romans offered blood to the gods as a sacrifice.
They performed 'augures’ to predict the future.
The Romans practiced 'augures,' or divination by looking at omens in nature. They looked at both the behavior of animals and plant parts, as they did man-made items. This was taken seriously by the gods, who were believed to be able to predict the future.
They believed in the emperor worship
The Romans believed that emperor worship was a part of the ancient world. Many rituals and prescriptions were created to honor the emperor. This devotion extended well beyond politics.