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Semester 2

Paganism and Christianity in the Roman Empire (CACA10007)

Subject

Classical Art/Classical Archaeology

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Visiting students must have completed 3 Classics courses at grade B or above, including equivalents to The Roman World 1B: The Roman Empire (CLGE08004) AND Ancient History 2b: Themes and Theories in Ancient History (ANHI08013) OR Roman Art and Archaeology (CACA08011) OR Archaeology 2B: Archaeology in Action (ARCA08012). We will only consider University/College level courses. **Please see Additional Restrictions below**

Course Summary

This course aims to provide an introduction of the religious diversity across the Roman Empire, covering classical and native deities in various part of the Empire, oriental cults and the religious veneration of natural phenomena. The contribution material evidence can make to our understanding of ancient religion, complementing written sources, will feature prominently. Whilst focusing on pagan religion more than Christianity, the early spread and reasons for the success of this religion, which was to shape the medieval and post-medieval history of the West, will also be explored.

Course Description

The Roman Empire, stretching from Britain and the Atlantic coast of Gaul and the Iberian Peninsula in the west to eastern Anatolia, the Syrian Desert and Egypt in the east, was arguably the most cosmopolitan state the western world had ever seen. This is reflected in the astonishing diversity of divine powers venerated within the Empire, ranging from the classical pantheon and a myriad of native gods and goddesses to Oriental deities, from divine powers in human guise to sacred animals. Religious sites included public and private temples in major towns and cities as well as pilgrimage centres and healing sanctuaries in remote locations. Natural phenomena equally enjoyed religious veneration, notably sacred springs, rivers, lakes, trees and mountains. With few exceptions (such as Christianity, Druidism and Manichaeism) the individual had almost unlimited freedom of choice. It was also mainly within the Empire that Christianity grew from a persecuted minority cult to a world religion, a development which has shaped history to the present day. Religion in the Roman Empire can help us to understand the modern world, both because important developments originated then and because the cosmopolitan nature of Roman religion provides a useful analogy for our own time.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 60%, Coursework 40%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Restrictions

Unless you are nominated on a Classics or HCA exchange agreement, visiting students are only permitted to enrol in two 3rd year Classics courses each, per semester, before the start of the relevant semester’s welcome period – and spaces on each course are limited so cannot be guaranteed for any student. Enrolment in a third course from this group will depend on whether there are still spaces available in the January Welcome Period, and cannot be guaranteed. It is NOT appropriate for students to contact staff within this subject area to ask for an exception to be made; all enquiries to enrol in these courses must be made through the CAHSS Visiting Student Office. This is due to the extremely limited number of spaces available in this very popular subject area.

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