Religion
It is universally known truth that the romans were an inclusive and polytheistic religious community that adapted as religion evolved and they were exposed to the religions of other cultures. Roman religion was adapted from Greek religion But it is evidence from Pompeii that displays the depth of the roman perspective on religion and how integrated religion was in the social, economic and political lives of romans in Pompeii and Herculaneum.
The people of Pompeii worshipped several Gods, including Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva—the three principal deities of Rome—as well as Apollo and Venus, the patrons of Pompeii. The influence of other cultures upon roman religion can be observed in the temple found dedicated to the Egyptian Goddess Isis. There is even evidence suggesting the presence of Jews from graffiti of Judaic names and frescoes. The temple of Apollo, dating back to the 6th century, the temple of Venus, and the temple of Jupiter that was shared with Juno and Minerva have been the only discovered temples in Pompeii. Archaeologists' believe that there are two missing temples due to evidence from documents and inscriptions found in Pompeii of the Temple of Neptune and the Temple of Ceres.
In Pompeii evidence of foreign religious Cults have been found and suggests that movements could have spread to other domains of Rome as many “tourists” and wealthy of Rome travelled to and from Pompeii on a mass scale annually. For example the Cult of Isis, as it is commonly referred too, is the best preserved
temple in all Pompeii sanctuaries. It is important to note that women only had Priestess roles in cults and over third of the worshippers of Isis were women even as worship was open for both sexes.
Another important aspect of roman religious life only shown in Pompeii and Herculaneum are the religious shrines in the homes of the people. Through the shrines of a particular patron one was able to communicate ones ideas and values. Throughout Pompeii, religious freedom was one of the many policies that allowed Pompeii to flourish. Frescoes and mosaics on every street, in bars, in the workplace and markets show a largely religious society. All shrines share similar qualities for example composition, iconography and form but no two shrines are the same. This is the same for house shrines. Many Pompeian used their household shrines not only for worship but to represent themselves and their future prospects to the wider community and this in return elevated the status of many. Domestic worship was at the center of worship as the home was the most scared place of the roman citizen.
For example a common house hold shrine consisted of the Goddess of hearth, Vesta and Panates, the guardian spirit God of the pantry. These domestic shrines were called Larium and small lares (Gods of the home that protected). Sometimes even a painting of the master would be included. Each day the master would call all the household including slaves to gather around larium where prayer for protection and prosperity would be said with an offering for the Lares.
The people of Pompeii worshipped several Gods, including Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva—the three principal deities of Rome—as well as Apollo and Venus, the patrons of Pompeii. The influence of other cultures upon roman religion can be observed in the temple found dedicated to the Egyptian Goddess Isis. There is even evidence suggesting the presence of Jews from graffiti of Judaic names and frescoes. The temple of Apollo, dating back to the 6th century, the temple of Venus, and the temple of Jupiter that was shared with Juno and Minerva have been the only discovered temples in Pompeii. Archaeologists' believe that there are two missing temples due to evidence from documents and inscriptions found in Pompeii of the Temple of Neptune and the Temple of Ceres.
In Pompeii evidence of foreign religious Cults have been found and suggests that movements could have spread to other domains of Rome as many “tourists” and wealthy of Rome travelled to and from Pompeii on a mass scale annually. For example the Cult of Isis, as it is commonly referred too, is the best preserved
temple in all Pompeii sanctuaries. It is important to note that women only had Priestess roles in cults and over third of the worshippers of Isis were women even as worship was open for both sexes.
Another important aspect of roman religious life only shown in Pompeii and Herculaneum are the religious shrines in the homes of the people. Through the shrines of a particular patron one was able to communicate ones ideas and values. Throughout Pompeii, religious freedom was one of the many policies that allowed Pompeii to flourish. Frescoes and mosaics on every street, in bars, in the workplace and markets show a largely religious society. All shrines share similar qualities for example composition, iconography and form but no two shrines are the same. This is the same for house shrines. Many Pompeian used their household shrines not only for worship but to represent themselves and their future prospects to the wider community and this in return elevated the status of many. Domestic worship was at the center of worship as the home was the most scared place of the roman citizen.
For example a common house hold shrine consisted of the Goddess of hearth, Vesta and Panates, the guardian spirit God of the pantry. These domestic shrines were called Larium and small lares (Gods of the home that protected). Sometimes even a painting of the master would be included. Each day the master would call all the household including slaves to gather around larium where prayer for protection and prosperity would be said with an offering for the Lares.