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State Religion- object: to secure the "peace" of the gods (pax deorum). - no moral element; stress on correct performance of ritual. - Romans took over the gods of the Greek pantheon. - Romans "collected" gods -Roman priests were the pontifices; head of all was Pontifex Maximus. - Colleges:
- no separation of church and state: e.g. Julius Caesar Ritual- Importance in ritual of getting everything right: cf. computer passwords - if something goes wrong with ceremony, it has to be done again (and again) - In either case, notion of contract to be noted: do ut des formula Sacrifice - most often, animals sacrificed - sacrificing an animal was a messy business - examination of entrails - abnormalities meant repetition Omens & Divination Extispicium - the liver was believed to indicate the will of the gods Auspices/ Augury - consulting the birds
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