The Role of Religion in Acient Pagan Society

Religiosity determined the everyday life of antique cultures. It was a by far more pervasive phenomenon, than this is in many modern societies the case. A strict separation from state and religion was inconceivable.
Cults by public and private character were fundamentally different. The Roman cult calendar intended the national holidays and the celebrations for the individual gods. Before political or military events sacrifices were made and the will of the gods was explored. These sacral actions were subjected to a strict formalism and stood under the supervision of the priests. For the v…