When St. Paul and St. Peter reached Rome they encountered a state-sponsored religion that had been established for centuries. Amid the shrines and temples of Rome; the Romans sought to preserve and strengthen a religion especially suited to the ambitious city. But Roman religion had also proved permeable to many influences; from Greece; Egypt; Persia; and other parts of Italy. What then was truly Roman; and what had Romans done with their borrowings to stamp them with Roman character? By exhaustive study of texts; inscriptions; and archaeology of Roman sacred places; Dumezil traces the formation of archaic Roman religion from Indo-European sources through the development of the rites and beliefs of the Roman republic. He describes a religion that was not only influenced by the other religions with which it came into contact; but influenced them as well; in mutual efforts to distinguish one nation from another. Even so; certain continuities were sustained in order to achieve a religion that crossed generations and ways of life. The worship of certain gods became the special concerns of certain parts of society; all of which needed attention to assure Rome's success in war; civil administration; and the production of food and goods.
#58021 in Books W Bruce Lincoln 2007-05-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.16 x 1.29 x 6.36l; 1.72 #File Name: 0801489229528 pagesThe Conquest of a Continent Siberia and the Russians
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Excellent; well documentedBy IRCIt provides an entirely different view of the world - seeing the world a though you are looking out from Siberia. Excellent; well documented. Written in the 1990s it is a bit old; but accurate and excellent for history to that point.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. A fascinating study and very accessibleBy John DesmondLincoln is a noted historian on Russia; especially in the revolutionary period. He covers several centuries of history very handily by picking key events; personages; and locations to discuss in detail as a way of telling a much broader story in manageable form. Most insightful is his dealing with the ecological disaster that Russia inflicted on the world in their handling of this vast land.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The author does a great job keeping the narrative interestingBy OverheaterIf you ever wanted to know the history of Siberian exploration; colonization; and development; this is the book. The author does a great job keeping the narrative interesting.
