Romanization of Britain II
Roman Religion in Britain
- The Imperial Cult
- Popular throughout Britain
- Most popular with the army
- Number of dedications invoking the deified ancestors of the emperor
- Origins of the practice
- After Caesar state religion in disrepute
- Misuse by Caesar and his opponents to obstruct one another
- Used to promote political goals of each
- Policy under Augustus
- Used state religion to promote appearance of return to dignity of the past
- Imperial family closely connected to the state religion
- Rapidly developed into the Imperial Cult
- Family not deified in lifetime, except in the east
- Altars set up to the numen or genius of the emperor
- Became common to add altars for the welfare of the emperor in temples
- Was useful in maintaining the devotion and loyalty of the army to the emperor
- Capitoline Triad
- Gods
- Jupiter Optimus Maximus
- Juno
- Minerva
- At Chichester linked with Neptune
- At Bath linked with Sulis
- In northern regions equated with tribal patron deity Brigantia
- Other Roman Deities
- Mars
- Popular throughout Britain
- Worshipped in local form
- Linked with various local deities
- Took on different attributes from the classical ones
- At Lydney linked to Celtic god Nodens, who was associated with healing
- At Lincoln called Mars Rigonemetos, king of the groves
- Mercury
- Also popular
- Also linked to local deities
- Associated with chief religious center of the Trinovantes at Gosbecks near Colchester
- Important local cults
- Many local deities and cults adapted by the Romans living in Britain
- Deities associated with water
- Minerva associated with deity of hot springs, Sulis
- Shrine of Coventina
- Outside fort at Carraburgh
- Built around a spring
- Large number of offerings thrown into the spring
- Mother Goddess
- Roman counterpart was Ceres
- Fertility cult
- Usually appear as a triple manifestation to denote their power
- Local manifestations
- Romano-Celtic Temple: Maiden Castle
People of Roman Britain
- Large number of merchants
- Evidence for them
- Many came in search of wealth
- Came from all parts of the empire
- Craftsmen and professionals
- Many also from other areas of the empire
- Evidence for them also dedications and tombstones
- Types of occupations
- Stonemasons
- Potters
- Brick- and tile-makers
- Metalworkers
- Silversmith
- Goldsmiths
- Bronze workers
- Lead workers
- Woodworkers
- Mine operators
- Military personnel
- Government officials
- Slave workers
- Agriculturalists