dcb188 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2007 I am reading "Selected Political Speeches" of Cicero and was surprised to see that one of the speeches was delivered INSIDE the Temple of Jupiter and I wonder if anyone can tell me the customs and rules (if any) of going inside those temples at the time. Thanks very much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bryaxis Hecatee 16 Report post Posted July 10, 2007 Well many reunions of the Senate were held inside temples, Roman temples were not closed like the Greek temples were. Also one must remember that peoples could also get inside to put themselves under the protection of the gods ( an ancient rule which was kept in the middle ages with the Christian churches ) : this is what Saturninus did ( and yet he was killed when the roof was thrown upon him by angry young nobiles ). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dcb188 0 Report post Posted July 10, 2007 Well many reunions of the Senate were held inside temples, Roman temples were not closed like the Greek temples were. Also one must remember that peoples could also get inside to put themselves under the protection of the gods ( an ancient rule which was kept in the middle ages with the Christian churches ) : this is what Saturninus did ( and yet he was killed when the roof was thrown upon him by angry young nobiles ). Thank you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gaius Paulinus Maximus 2 Report post Posted July 10, 2007 Well many reunions of the Senate were held inside temples, Roman temples were not closed like the Greek temples were. Also one must remember that peoples could also get inside to put themselves under the protection of the gods ( an ancient rule which was kept in the middle ages with the Christian churches ) : this is what Saturninus did ( and yet he was killed when the roof was thrown upon him by angry young nobiles ). Didn't Stilicho take refuge in the Church of Ravenna after it had become clear that the Emperor Honorius wanted him dead, he stayed safe in the sanctuary of the church until he was tricked into stepping over the holy threshold on the promise that his life would be spared but as soon as he stepped over, a warrant for his instant execution was produced and he was mercilessly murdered there and then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites