Encyclopedia of Christianity Online

Get access

Roman Religion
(3,922 words)

1. Definition

1.1. Distinctions

In their classic epoch the Romans clearly distinguished their religion—the cultus deorum (cult of the gods), religiones (pl. religions), but also religio (sing.)—from other parts of their culture. Thus they maintained the difference between sacer and profanus (Sacred and Profane), ius divinum and ius humanum (divine and human law), and dies fasti, dies comitiales, and dies nefasti (days for business, for public assemblies, and for neither). The Romans structured re…

Cite this page
Cancik, Hubert, “Roman Religion”, in: Encyclopedia of Christianity Online. Consulted online on 28 May 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2211-2685_eco_R.78>
First published online: 2011
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004169678, 20080512



▲   Back to top   ▲