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Book Cover
E-book
Author King, Charles (Professor of history), author.

Title The ancient Roman afterlife : di manes, belief, and the cult of the dead / Charles W. King
Edition First edition
Published Austin : University of Texas Press, 2020
©2020

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Description 1 online resource (xxix, 269 pages)
Series Ashley and Peter Larkin series in Greek and Roman culture
Ashley and Peter Larkin series in Greek and Roman culture.
Contents Di manes : the godhood of the dead -- Di manes : the number of the gods -- Who worshipped whom? -- The manes in the context of Roman religion : beliefs and variations -- The powers of the dead -- The manes in the context of the funeral -- Festivals, ceremonies, and home shrines
Summary In ancient Rome, it was believed some humans were transformed into special, empowered beings after death. These deified dead, known as the manes, watched over and protected their surviving family members, possibly even extending those relatives' lives. But unlike the Greek hero-cult, the worship of dead emperors, or the Christian saints, the manes were incredibly inclusive--enrolling even those without social clout, such as women and the poor, among Rome's deities. The Roman afterlife promised posthumous power in the world of the living. While the manes have often been glossed over in studies of Roman religion, this book brings their compelling story to the forefront, exploring their myriad forms and how their worship played out in the context of Roman religion's daily practice. Exploring the place of the manes in Roman society, Charles King delves into Roman beliefs about their powers to sustain life and bring death to individuals or armies, examines the rituals the Romans performed to honor them, and reclaims the vital role the manes played in the ancient Roman afterlife
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and indexes
Notes Print version record
Subject Gods, Roman.
Dead -- Religious aspects.
Funeral rites and ceremonies -- Rome.
Cults -- Rome.
Household shrines -- Rome
RELIGION -- Ancient.
Cults
Dead -- Religious aspects
Funeral rites and ceremonies
Gods, Roman
Household shrines
Religion
SUBJECT Rome -- Religious life and customs
Rome -- Religion. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh96009771
Subject Rome (Empire)
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781477320228
1477320210
9781477320211
1477320229