Die Religion des Imperium Romanum

The role of religion in the Roman Empire exceeded the function of interpreting the power of Rome and the emperors. Within the enormous space of the Mediterranean Basin and the adjacent provinces, religious signs and practices were diffused, and several religious traditions developed universalistic traits. These characteristics suggest that it is possible to speak of a single religion of the Imperium Romanum, a religious koine that included groups, beliefs and practices easily classified as different religions and cults, including »Christiani« and »Iudaie.« The internal plurality however, accentuated by social, geographical and political factors, easily turned into intolerance and repression, occasional and local, legal and organized. In the new perspectives presented by the articles in this volume, which are mainly in English and German, major developments between the 2nd century BC and the 4th century AD become apparent.