Legends and Gods of Rome: From Funeral Rites to Eastern Cults

In 753 BC, Romulus, according to legend, founded Rome. For two centuries, Rome remained a monarchy, with seven kings succeeding one another on the throne. By this time, the foundations of Roman religion were laid: the legend of the city's foundation, rituals, and the first temples. Gradually, the Eternal City transformed into the capital of a vast empire: countless gods coexisted here, new shrines and temples appeared, and diverse rituals were practiced. Epitaphs preserved the memory of the deceased for the living, libations were made during sacrifices, and the consul watched for divine signs on the eve of a decisive battle.
The outstanding historian Yannick Klawé offers the reader a comprehensive and dynamic view of the religious diversity of the Roman world. How did a modest and initially poor people, living in isolation in Latium and surrounded by powerful neighbors, create such a mighty empire in just a few centuries? How important was religion for Rome, and why did this empire last so long? In search of answers to these questions, the author traces the history of Rome: from the founding of the city to the triumph of Christianity, which transported the empire into a completely different world.