Review of Valerie M. Warrior, 'Roman Religion': Cambridge Introduction to Roman Civilisation Series. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. Pp. xvii + 165. ISBN 0-521-53212-4 (paper). $19.99.

Abstract

The Cambridge Introduction to Roman Civilisation is a new series of books designed for students with "no prior knowledge of or familiarity with Roman Antiquity." The first book in the series, Roman Religion by Valerie M. Warrior (hereafter RR), provides an introduction to the religions and religious practices of Ancient Rome. This slim volume includes eighty-one illustrations, a brief chronology, seven maps, lists of the gods and ancient sources, a glossary, index, and bibliography. The preface (pp. xiii– xv) indicates that it deals with different kinds of ancient evidence (literary, epigraphic, numismatic and visual remains) from Roman history down to the second century AD. The commentary takes a thematic approach within which the material is "more or less" treated chronologically. As this approach risks presenting a static view of Roman religion, the importance of questioning the evidence with regard to author, genre, date, and immediacy is noted. The problem of interpreting ancient religions in the light of modern faiths and sensibilities is also raised. The point that Roman religion was not a matter of morality and belief, but of correct and pragmatic worship in order to secure divine favour is well made. Ten chapters follow this succinct overview. The use of picture title-pages and excerpts from the ancient sources to introduce each chapter makes for an attractive format. The excerpts are well chosen if at times repetitive, the picture title-pages less so with several images unpleasantly blurred from excessive cropping. As RR lends itself to modular use, a survey of its chapters is appropriate.