Religio Romana Contents
Calendar of Holidays and
Festivals
Declaration of Roman Paganism
Legends of Rome
Priests and Priesthoods
Foreign Priesthoods
Rites and Rituals
Religion of the Home: a brief history
Roman Gods and Goddesses
Roman Philosophy
Roman Beliefs about the Afterlife
What We Mean by Pagan
Reconstructionism
Why the Religio Romana is Important to Nova
Roma
Links on Roman religion and related
topics
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While the individual Citizens of Nova Roma are of course free to
pursue whatever personal religions their hearts and souls commend them
to, part of our mission is the reconstruction of the public rites of
the Religio Romana, or pagan Roman religion. As such, our concept of
Pagan Reconstructionism entails:
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Reverence for the pre-Christian Roman deities and
Mysteries.
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A connection with the ancestors and the Lares and Di
Penates. In a modern context, this means a concern for the importance of
family, in its broadest sense.
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A connection with the Roman past. We strive to be as historically
(and mythologically) accurate as the state of the evidence allows.
When gaps in the evidence, or the realities of modern life, make it
necessary to create something new it should be:
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As consistent as possible with what we do know
about the classical-era Romans and their legacy.
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Clearly presented as a recent innovation. We frown on
attempts to advertise something modern and invented as
ancient and historical in order to give it an authority (and
marketability!) it does not deserve.
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A balanced approach to understanding classical Roman religion which
relies on both sound scholarship and poetic inspiration without mistaking one for
the other.
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Inclusiveness. While we have the Roman fascination
with genealogy, we do not rely on genealogy or geography to determine who is
Roman.
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Respect for women.
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A moral code which stresses truthfulness, honor, personal
responsibility, and the other Roman Virtues.
What We Are Not About
As we are concerned with historical accuracy, the public rites of the
Religio Romana do not include:
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Ceremonial Magick or traditions influenced by it such as Wicca.
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Italian witchcraft, or Stregha (an indigenous Italian
form of witchcraft with some classical elements, but with its origins in the
14th Century).
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Eclecticism (as opposed to historical syncreticism; combining
classical Roman religion with other cultural traditions that
weren't combined historically; Romano-Celtic worship is certainly
appropriate, sacrifice to Mercurius-Quetzalcoatl probably isn't).
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