Romanstudent19

Yes I saw that. I haven't come across any such ritual, and given the normal roman taboo for women appearing naked in company, it seems unlikely. Personally, I think that was done for visual effect unless anyone genuinely knows more about this sort of thing. Thanks to you and everyone for the replies, so do you think it was more HBO/Hollywood, than anything Roman?. Thanks again.

I hope this is the right place for this, but I have a question about the Romans and death. On the first episode of the second seasond of HBOs Rome, when Julius Ceaser's dead body is layed out on a table/altar, and peopl are coming to pay their last respects to him and his wife, one woman takes out her breast and puts it in Ceaser's mouth, and his widow looks on and says thank you to the woman. I was just wondering, was this a normal Roman custom, and if so, what was the purpose of it?. Thanks for any help.

Thanks for the link.

Thanks, do you know of books that are good for beginners in the Roman religion and beliefs, 'cause I really would like to learn more, in detail (there's only so much that internet sites can say). Thanks again.

I was just wondering, would you recommend the book 'Archaic Roman Religion' by George Dumezil, I've seen it recommended on some sites and I was just wondering if it was a good book on the Roman religion and beliefs. Thanks for any help (also, feel free to leave any other suggestions if you want).

I haven't been to this board in ages, but I was just wondering, does anyone know if the Roman gods and Greek gods were actually the same, or were they different, as loads of people say their same (that Jupiter is the Roman name for Zeus, etc), but I've also been told that they are actually different, and I'd like to know if that's true. How do the Roman gods differ, like what's their personality like, etc. And, finally, does anyone know of any good books or sites on Roman deities, and their myths, as I'd like to learn more about them. Thanks.

Thanks for all the replies, everyone, it's really good. Although i have another question, were there any examples of Romans (whether soldiers or other Roman citizens) having any relationships with Jews, 'cause, i've read that in some of the places the Romans conquered, like Britain, etc, some of the soldiers posted in a specific territory would end up having relationships with the people there, and i was just wondering, if there were any examples of this happening between Jews and Romans. Thanks again for all the replies .

It's been ages since i've visited this forum so i hope this isn't a repeat of anything else, but does anyone know if there were any times in ancient history where the Jews and Romans weren't hostile to each other, and does anyone have any theories or knowledgle as to why, out of every other group the Romans came into contact with, the Romans and Jews seemed to have a worse relationship with each other, it's something i'm interested in as i'm interested in both Jewish and Ancient Roman history. I've read in one book (i can't remember which one) that at one time in history, Judaism was quite popular with upper class Romans (or maybe just with upper class Roman women?, i can't remember the full quote), is this true, i know that when the Romans came back to Rome after visiting other countries and conquering them, they'd bring back different religions (like didn't the Isis cult, Mithrasism, Elysian(sp?) mysteries, etc become popular in Rome) and i was just wondering, if it ever became popular with any Romans. I've also read that one Emperor on a visit to Jerusalem in Palestine, demanded to be brought in to see the Jewish Temple, and, despite protests about it, barged in and entered the hidden sanctuary (i think?) where the High Priest would commune with Yahweh, and, the book said, no one knew what he saw, but when he emerged, he became a defender and supporter of the Jews (sorry that i can't remember the book's name, but it was ages ago), does anyone know which Emperor this was and if this is true. If it is true, did the Jews ever receive backing from certain parts of Rome or the Roman Empire?. Thanks for any answers you can give, and sorry if this seems like a really dumb question, it's just something i'm really interested in. Thanks again .

I heard that early Christianity was a mystery religion in Rome, is this true and does anyone know any of the characteristics of mystery religions (i know that they were a secret but did anything come out about it), was it a popular one, like were there many Romans who joined it, also did Mystery religions have supernatural events that happened, as i read that in some mystery religions, people would enter the spirit world or supernatural realm. Anyway, i hope that made sense, and thanks for any help.

Thanks for all the great information. I know that the Romans let people worship their own gods as long as the state ones were worshipped too, were there any Jews who did this and supported the Roman empire, also how did the Jews and the Romans get on with each other, i've heard a lot about the the rebellions and everything but were there any periods of peace. Also did they ever trade between them. I've read in some books and sites that one Emperor (can't remember his name) went straight into the most private holy room of the Temple and was humbled or something by what he saw and became a protector for the Jewish people, does anyone know if this is true?. Also, were there any Jews that became Roman citizens? Thanks.

I hope this is the right forum for this, i'm new so i haven't found myself around yet. Anyway i have question, how did the Romans view Yahweh, did they see him as existing, also i know that the Romans adopted some deities from conquered people, did the Romans (any of them) ever worship Yahweh as well. I heard somewhere that there were a few Romans (or it might have been Greeks too) that wanted to turn Judaism into a mystery tradition/religion, does anyone know if this is true. I'm asking because i'm doing research on the Jews and Romans (plus i'm kind of interested in it too). I would have thought that the Romans might have added Yahweh to their worship because, as he does seem to be a great war god (possibly more than that?). Anyway, thanks for any help you can give me. .