by Denis Feeney (Author)
Recent reevaluations of Roman religion by ancient historians have stressed the vitality and creativity of the Romans' religious system throughout its long history of continual adaptation to new challenges. Capitalising on these insights, Denis Feeney argues that Roman literature was not an artificial or parasitic irrelevance in this context, but an important element of the dynamic religious culture, with its own status as another form of religious knowledge. Since Roman culture, both literary and religious, was so thoroughly Hellenised, the book also makes a case for a reconsideration of the traditional antitheses between Greek and Roman literature and religion, arguing against Hellenocentric prejudices and in favour of a more creative model of cultural interaction.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 176
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 13 Jan 1998
ISBN 10: 0521559219
ISBN 13: 9780521559218
Book Overview: A sophisticated and important short study of Roman religion.