Rome's Religious History
Livy, Tacitus and Ammianus on their Gods

Explores the writings of three ancient historians on the role of the gods in Rome's history.

Jason P. Davies (Author)

9780521834827, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 January 2005

352 pages
23.6 x 16 x 3 cm, 0.7 kg

'Davies' sensitivity to the interpretive strategies of the ancient authors allows for sympathetic reconstructions of the cultural contexts which inform the historical works. … In sum, this is an erudite, powerful, and invaluable interpretation of Roman religion and historiography.' Journal of Roman Studies

This book explores the way in which three ancient historians, writing in Latin, embedded the gods into their accounts of the past. Although previous scholarship has generally portrayed these writers as somewhat dismissive of traditional Roman religion, it is argued here that Livy, Tacitus and Ammianus saw themselves as being very close to the centre of those traditions. The gods are presented as a potent historical force, and a close reading of the historians' texts easily bears out this conclusion. Their treatment of the gods is not limited to portraying the role and power of the divine in the unfolding of the past: equally prominent is the negotiation with the reader concerning what constituted a 'proper' religious system. Priests and other religious experts function as an index of the decline (or restoration) of Rome and each writer formulates a sophisticated position on the practical and social aspects of Roman religion.

Acknowledgements
Note on the texts
1. Introduction
2. Livy and the invention of Roman religion
3. Gods and men in Livy
4. Tacitus and the restoration of Rome
5. Ammianus and a final settlement
6. Conclusions
Bibliography
Index locorum
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Religion & beliefs [HR], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]