FAQ

The following frequently asked questions address some of the ideals regarding the Religio Romana, as practiced in the Temple of Religio Romana. Though the Religio Romana remains distinctly free of dogma, the Temple of Religio Romana feels that enlightenment remains the one universal path. As time and effort allow, additional material will be added accordingly. If you have a particular question that you feel should be addressed, or if you have any comments or questions regarding any of the material here, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Table of Contents

1. What is the Religio Romana?
2. Why are the Roman Virtues so important to your religion?
3. What Gods do you worship?
4. Do you believe in reincarnation
5. Do you believe in eternal punishment or eternal happiness?
6. What about animal sacrifice and sacrifice in general
7. What about the concept of faith -Is the Religio Romana a faith-based religion?
8. Why don't you have a holy book or other holy scriptures?
9. Why do you venerate dead Emperors and other human beings like Aesculapius and Julius Caesar?
10. Weren't the ancient Romans immoral as the movies and popular media have portrayed them to be?
11. What about the "myths"?  Are they not just a bunch of silly stories by ignorant men trying to explain matters that science has since explained for us?

I. What is the Religio Romana?

The Religio Romana is a nature-centered belief system based on traditional Roman practices, virtues, and ideals. The Religio Romana establishes harmony in your life--by adhering to the great cycles embodied in the rhythm of the seasons, and the veneration of Roman deities.

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II. Why are the Roman Virtues so important to your religion?

The Roman Virtues are the cornerstone of a comprehensive moral code that provide the practitioner with personal, professional and spiritual guidance.  The Virtues are qualities for the individual to aspire to and they also provide the key framework of the Religio Romana in working with others toward achieving harmony in one's environment and with the gods.  For further information, please visit our Virtues page.

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III. What Gods do you worship?

The Religio Romana is a spiritually centered practice that incorporates the worship of earthly and celestial deities and ancestral numen. These deities and spirits are manifestations of a divine presence that is indigenous to the early ancient Romans. These are the Dii Consentes (a group of twelve gods especially worshipped by the Romans,) Dii Lares (household and family numen,) Dii Indigites (minor, ancestral and tutelary deities,) and the Dii Novensiles (foreign deities.)

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IV. Do you believe in reincarnation?

There were many schools of thought on this but by and large, the ancient Romans did not believe in reincarnation in the Eastern sense. Many did, however, believe in a spiritual existence after death and this belief is evident in the worship and reverence of the Lares, Dii Penates and Dii Manes (Spirits of the land, house and home, and of the ancestors, respectively.) Though largely a matter of personal interpretation, most modern practitioners of the Religio Romana are in agreement with the beliefs of the ancient Romans; that life after death is more on a spiritual plane and that it transcends the physical realm.

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V. Do you believe in eternal punishment or eternal happiness?

Sin, salvation, eternal torments, 'living in the happy kingdom of the creator,' and other such beliefs, were common tenets of the Eastern "Mystery Religions," from which Christianity and many other religions were later derived. The Religio Romana is first and foremost concerned with this plane of existence, and in fulfilling our divine purpose in this world.

We believe, as did most Romans, that the highest form of fulfillment is attained by man's harmony with the deities and adherence to the Virtues. Peace with the Gods (Pax Deorum) and virtuous living build the foundation of a prosperous and meaningful life based on reverence for one's self, one's environment, and the gods--benefiting both current and subsequent generations.

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VI. What about animal sacrifice and sacrifice in general?

The term sacrifice in the Religio Romana pertains to surrendering something of personal value for a higher purpose. The ancient Romans believed, as we do now, that by giving back to the gods some of what They have blessed us with, we will be continue, in turn, to be blessed by Them. This relationship forms the basis of the Religio Romana. It is a concept based on mutual consent and benefit through honor, respect and propitiation in order to achieve fulfillment and Pax Deorum (peace with the gods), and it is to this end that sacrifice is offered.

In antiquity, there were two forms of sacrifice; bloodless offerings and blood sacrifice. Although animal sacrifice was played a role in ancient Roman worship, there was also a marked absence of this practice as documented by ancient writers. There are accounts of bloodless offerings predating animal sacrifice and an abhorrence to this practice by many Romans. Ovid mentions that "Formerly what served to conciliate god and men was spelt and pure salt's glistening grain." Herbs, milk, wine, incense, votives, cakes, etc. were used more frequently and at times exclusively. Bloodless offerings continued to frequent daily domestic worship and were deemed not only appropriate but often preferable even in Imperial times.

The Temple of Religio Romana maintains only bloodless sacrifice and does does not conduct or condone animal sacrifice in any form. Animal sacrifice is forbidden on all Temple grounds and properties, during Temple-sanctioned events, and by the Temple Board Members themselves. While The Temple, cannot be held responsible nor accountable for those who, by their own inherent rights as individual practitioners choose to engage in this practice as a form of worship, it is not sanctioned by the Temple either in public or private practice.

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VII. What about the concept of "faith" -Is the Religio Romana a faith-based religion?

The concept of faith, in the modern sense, is mostly a component of eastern religion. This interpretation pertains to blind allegiance; a confidence and trust where the emphasis is placed on deriving in a supernatural afterlife what is lacking in this extant world. The person becomes preoccupied with future occurrences, instead of focusing on improving present circumstances. This idea of faith as a whole was foreign to the ancient Romans. The Religio Romana is a utilitarian belief system based on mutual respect and benefit, as it pertains to our current existence; divine intervention is sought and expected with the intent of achieving Pax Deorum. This pragmatic approach to faith releases one from following blindly and hoping for improvement in one's existence after passing, and instead places the emphasis on obtaining optimum results in this life--with the understanding that one' s purpose in this world is preeminent to what transpires in the next.

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VIII. Why don't you have a holy book or other holy scriptures?

In ancient Rome, certain books were regarded as sacred scripture in much the same way that many religions view their own books today. The Religio Romana was governed strictly by the tradition as it was written down, however much of the original material was destroyed through religious persecution. Today we only have fragments of these sacred scriptures available to us, along with some surviving texts that contain valuable information and insights into ancient practices and worship. 

Although this original information available to us is somewhat limited, ongoing historical research, archaeological findings, and further translations, have yielded a wealth of new material--and continue to do so. These findings, along with the writings from antiquity--combined with some existing traditional practices that have survived throughout the centuries, provide the modern practitioner with a substantial foundation and understanding of the Religio Romana to incorporate into his or her life.

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IX. Why do you venerate dead Emperors and other human beings like Aesculapius and Julius Caesar?

In ancient Rome, deification was an honor bestowed upon worthy individuals who had shown extraordinary abilities and/or service to the Roman State. The precept behind deification is rooted in the existence of the genius (the male spirit) and the iuno (the female spirit) as eternal spirits or souls, and forms the cornerstone of the Religio Romana. In antiquity, deification was a means to continue national worship of these deceased individuals, with the understanding that their spirits, which had now become increased, would flourish and endure as protector of the Roman people. The genius of the Emperor was initially associated with the Goddess Roma, and formed the protective spiritual entity of Rome.

The deification process, which was formally under the authority of the Roman Senate, also allowed for state-sanctioned projects such as monuments, statues, coinage, flamen (priests), and holidays to be carried out in honor of the deceased. Examples of these honors in antiquity would include the Temple to Aesculapius on Tiber Island, the famous bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius formerly on the Capitoline Hill, and the Column of Antoninus Pius at Rome. Modern examples of honoring dead heroes and exemplary individuals would include the Lincoln Monument and the Trenton War Memorial.

Deification, as recognized within the Temple of Religio Romana, is based on the western ancient Roman concept of genius and iuno, not on the later Imperial tradition of Emperors declaring themselves to be dues et dominus (god and lord) which was for the most part brought about by eastern religious influence. Worship of deified Romans is approached in accordance to individual practice, much as the Dii Consentes and Lares Familiares (genius and iuno of family members) are; for inspiration and guidance as well as protection and favor. Modern practitioners of the Religio Romana determine their own individual patron deities, which may include deified Romans that have a particular significance in their lives.

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X. Weren't the ancient Romans immoral as the movies and popular media have portrayed them to be?

Most cinematic portrayals of historic episodes, while somewhat entertaining in nature, veer greatly from actuality. We can only truly measure what the Romans may have thought or done by recorded historic accounts and these ancient references allude to many of the same moral concerns that our own society faces today. A common misconception of Roman morality is derived in part from the candor the Romans possessed while addressing even controversial issues, as discussions were open, honest, and forthright.

Ironically, the word "censor" (which was often used in the motion picture industry to monitor questionable content), is derived from the Latin word for that ancient Roman public officer, censor. Among other responsibilities, the censor supervised both public and private behavior for excesses. Its meaning in antiquity is common to our understanding of the word today. The ancient Romans possessed a strong desire for order, austerity and greatness; qualities attained by living a virtuous life. Incorporating and maintaining the Virtues was perhaps the prevailing ideology of the time. While the ancient Romans did not profess to embody perfection, the distinct desire to maintain public decorum and achieve a sound social structure was constant and continuous.

The Temple of Religio Romana embraces these timeless ideals, however, we are aware that principles of ethical conduct may vary from person to person. While we strive to enlighten, educate and assist the individual in the practice of the Religio Romana and incorporating the Virtues into his or her own life, the individual determines a path as defined by his or her own choices.

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XI. What about the "myths?" Are they not just silly stories by ignorant men trying to explain matters that science has since explained for us?

For the most part, Roman mythology is allegorical rather than literal. Roman myths are about the development of human souls, the celestial universe, and the natural world, and not about the gods themselves. Many ancient Romans did not validate these stories, instead choosing to recognize them as ideas, traditions, and beliefs, which served as lessons and instructional stories-very similar to those found in the Bhagavad Gita, Christian Bible, Quran and other religious texts. Myths have a wide and popular appeal, and their impact on culture has been significant and enduring; yet it is important to understand that Roman mythology has never been a foundation of the Religio Romana.

The Temple of Religio Romana fully appreciates and values these ancient accounts for their insight and poetic content, and incorporates them according to the message that the author was trying to convey.

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Please check back often, as new questions are being added all the time.