Phases in the Religion of Ancient Rome

Phases in the Religion of Ancient Rome offers a thoughtful exploration of the evolution of Roman religious ideas, drawing on the lectures delivered as part of the Sather Classical Lectures series. This work does not claim to provide groundbreaking discoveries but seeks to weave together the various strands of belief and practice that shaped Roman religion across different periods. Framed by the broader human quest for understanding the divine, the book situates Roman religion as a mosaic of overlapping and evolving concepts, ranging from animism and magic to anthropomorphism. By disentangling these threads, it aims to reveal how they were interwoven into the complex fabric of Roman spirituality.

Acknowledging the work of pioneering scholars in anthropology and comparative religion, the author examines Roman beliefs not as a linear progression but as a series of "ups and downs," reflecting broader human patterns of religious development. The lectures trace how new ideas emerged, older traditions receded or transformed, and diverse practices coexisted within the same cultural moment. By adopting a historical and psychological lens, this volume illuminates the composite nature of Roman religious experience, offering insights into the dynamic interplay of faith, culture, and human perception. Readers interested in the intellectual and spiritual currents of ancient Rome will find this book a compelling addition to the study of religious history.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1932.