Religions of Rome: Volume 1: A History

As with most of Mary Beard's work, the classics professional will always learn something, but the educated lay person will find entire new worlds opened. She avoids the excessive, unnecessary jargon so often found in books in this field. I would read anything she writes. If you aren't sure, look up some of the many videos she has made. The internet is full!

A solid text dealing with the religions of ancient Rome. Beginning with the early cults during the period of monarchy, then republic and empire; Beard, North and Price take an easy to follow and informative route that seeks to examine the religions and cults of Rome and its citizens. With iconographies included, the reader is able to see how the many districts within the empire both adored and loathed the religious institutions of the empire. From the earliest cult imports to pagan giants which were ultimately strangled by emperors dedicated to Christian belief, Religions of Rome is a worthwhile purchase.

Mary Beard as coauthor convinced me that this would be good and I was not disappointed. Sound scholarship, provocative ideas, and readable prose

This book is detailed enough to make it a good read. Well, of course, there is another volume. The book begins with Early Rome and ends with the Christian emperors, in terms of the Religion of Rome, that is.

Volume 2 is more interesting. This volume is overwhelmed with footnotes.

The perfect match to the source book this book is also a winner, exploring the diversity and intricacies of Roman religion.

good read

Amazing content but could be written in better story format as compared to standard boring academia.