Religion
Embark on a fascinating journey into the religious landscape of Roman Britain with our curated reading list.
Delve into the diverse beliefs, rituals, and practices that characterized the spiritual life of ancient Britons under Roman rule. Explore seminal works by leading scholars such as Green, Cunliffe, and Henig, who offer illuminating insights into the syncretic nature of religion in this dynamic region. From the worship of indigenous deities like Sulis and Cocidius to the adoption of Roman cults such as Mithraism and the Imperial cult, discover how religious traditions intersected and evolved within the multicultural tapestry of Roman Britain. Uncover archaeological evidence, textual sources, and iconographic representations that shed light on the sacred sites, temples, and religious artifacts that once dotted the landscape. Whether you’re intrigued by Celtic paganism, Roman polytheism, or the interaction between different faith traditions, our reading list provides a comprehensive exploration of religion in Roman Britain.
General
- Green, M.J., The gods of the Celts, Gloucester, 1986.
- Green, M.J., The gods of Roman Britain, Aylesbury, 2003.
- Henig, M., Religion in Roman Britain, London, 1984.
- Millett, M., Revell, L. & Moore, A.J., The Oxford handbook of Roman Britain, Oxford, 2016, Ch. 17-19, 30-32.
Further Reading
- Adams, J.N., ‘British Latin: The Text, Interpretation and Language of the Bath Curse Tablets’ in Britannia Vol.23, 1992, 1-26.
- Allason-Jones, L. & McKay, B., Coventina’s Well: a shrine on Hadrian’s Wall, Hexham, 1985.
- Casey, P.J & Hoffman, B., ‘Excavations at the Roman Temple in Lydney Park, Gloucestershire in 1980 and 1981’ in The Antiquaries journal: being the journal of the Society of Antiquaries of London Vol.79, 1991, 81-144.
- Cunliffe, B., Davenport, P. & Care, V., The temple of Sulis Minerva at Bath: Vol. 1: The site, Oxford, 1985.
- Cunliffe, B., Tomlin, R. & Walker, D., The Temple of Sulis Minerva at Bath: Vol. 2: The finds from the sacred spring, Oxford, 1988.
- Daniels, C.M., ‘Mithras Saecularis, the Housesteads mithraeum and a fragment from Carrawburgh’ in Archaeologia Aeliana: miscellaneous tracts relating to antiquity Vol.40, 1962, 105-115.
- de la Bedoyere, G., The buildings of Roman Britain, London, 1991.
- Hassall, M., ‘Altars, curses and other epigraphic evidence’ in Temples, churches and religion: recent research in Roman Britain with a gazetteer of Romano-Celtic temples in continental Europe, Oxford, 1980, 79-89.
- Henig, M. & Throne, M., ‘Throne, altar and sword: civilian religion and the Roman army in Britain’ in Military & civilian in Roman Britain: cultural relationships in a frontier province, Oxford, 1984, 227-248.
- Hunter, F., Henig, M., Sauer, E. & Gooder, J., ‘Mithras in Scotland: A Mithraeum at Inveresk (East Lothian)’ in Britannia Vol.47, 2016, 119-168.
- Kamash, Z., Gosden, C. & Lock, G., ‘Continuity and Religious Practices in Roman Britain: The Case of the Rural Religious Complex at Marcham/Frilford, Oxfordshire’ in Britannia Vol.41, 2010, 95-125.
- Lewis, M.J.T., Temples in Roman Britain, Cambridge, 1966.
- Rodwell, W., Temples, churches and religion: recent research in Roman Britain with a gazetteer of Romano-Celtic temples in continental Europe, Oxford, 1980.
- Shepherd, J.D., The temple of Mithras, London: excavations by W.F. Grimes and A. Williams at the Walbrook, London, 1998.
- Tomlin, R., Tabellae Sulis. Roman Inscribed Tablets of Tin and Lead from the Sacred Spring at Bath, Oxford, 1988.
- Wedlake, W.J. & Allen, D.F., The excavation of the shrine of Apollo at Nettleton, Wiltshire, 1956-1971, London, 1982.
- Woodward, A. & Leach, P.E., The Uley shrines: excavation of a ritual complex on West Hill, Uley, Gloucestershire, 1977-9, London, 1993.
