Religion and Rituals

This category focuses on Roman worship practices, sacred rites, and the traditions that defined religious life. It looks at festivals, priesthoods, offerings, and the rules that guided interactions with the gods. Readers can learn how myth and ritual worked together in daily devotion.

Procession scene from Andrea Mantegna’s series The Triumphs of Caesar, showing bearers carrying trophies, bullion, and spoils of war in a classical triumph.

Religion and Rituals

The Triumphal Procession

Explore the triumphal procession, Rome’s grand victory parade celebrating generals, soldiers, and divine favor.

Fragment of the Fasti Antiates, an ancient Roman calendar painted on plaster, showing month names, festival markings, and preserved red and black inscriptions.

Religion and Rituals

The Roman Calendar

Discover how the Roman calendar evolved from a lunar system into the Julian calendar that shaped modern timekeeping.

A detailed depiction of Mithras slaying the sacred bull inside a dimly lit mithraeum, with torches illuminating ancient stone walls and cosmic symbols.

Religion and Rituals

The Cult of Mithras

Explore the Cult of Mithras, its temples, rituals, and origins as one of Rome’s most secretive mystery religions.

Stone bas-relief carving featuring Roman mythological symbols, including an eagle, crescent moon, lyre, owl, trident, wheat sheaf, dove, roses, and other divine emblems arranged in a classical panel.

Religion and Rituals

Roman Mythological Symbols

Explore the symbols of Roman mythology, their meanings, and the gods they represent in this comprehensive guide.

Religion and Rituals

The Lupercalia: Ancient Rites of Purification and Fertility

Discover the Lupercalia, Rome’s ancient February festival celebrating fertility, purification, and the primal joy of life.

Religion and Rituals

The Saturnalia: Festival of Joy and Reversal

Explore Saturnalia, Rome’s most joyous festival, where social order vanished, gifts were exchanged, and freedom reigned in honor of Saturn.

Religion and Rituals

The Ludi Romani: Games in Honor of Jupiter

Discover the Ludi Romani, Rome’s grand festival of games and rituals held each September to honor Jupiter, king of the gods.