Religion

Life in the Roman Empire

by Kathryn Hinds

Describes several aspects of religion in the Roman Empire, including the gods, goddesses, and spirits, sacred places, ceremonies, holidays, the roles of men and women, religion at each life stage, and relations between Romans, Jews, and Christians.

72 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Kathryn Hinds grew up near Rochester, NY, then moved to New York City to attend Barnard College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She now lives in the beautiful mountains of north Georgia, but migrates back to the southern shore of Lake Ontario nearly every summer. Although Kathryn has held a variety of jobs—waitress, administrative assistant, early childhood educator, research assistant, editorial assistant, French and Latin tutor, library information specialist—writing has been her constant occupation. Her published works include poetry, short stories, a coauthored book on Celtic mythology, and more than fifty nonfiction books for children and young adults. Her most recent books are the fantasy novel The Healer's Choice; The Forty, a collection of short stories co-authored with James Palmer, with photographs by Fox Gradin; and a volume of poetry, Candle, Thread, and Flute. Kathryn teaches English at the University of North Georgia.

Reviews

[Rebecca Colmanetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some contentions I had (and any learned and reasonable person should have) with the text

In response to the choice to use B.C.E and C.E. rather than B.C. and A.D., I'd like to know what justification is given for using such anyways; in other words what else split the timeline of human history into two? Quotation (found in the preface) in question (as a note): "A variety of systems of doing have been used by different cultures throughout history. Many historians now prefer to use B.C.E. (Before Common Era) and C.E. (Common Era) instead of B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini) [the year or years of our Lord], out of respect for the diversity of the world's peoples. In this book, all dates are C.E. unless otherwise noted." Truthfully I find this laughable. I did actually laugh out loud. I find it baffling that Atheists go about their day without justifying their choices and preferences and stopping for a moment to consider the considerable impact of Jesus on their lives. In, in a sense, trying to push Jesus to the side, "out of respect for the diversity" Hinds and these other historians fail to consider what would even provoke them to divide the timeline of history into two "eras."

Again, in reply to a point made in the preface about Romans' great artistic influence, much of this has been erroneously attributed to anything and anyone but where it really lies and belongs, which is to say that influence of and on art was largely from and by the hand of Christians.

The model of tolerance in the Roman Empire was the command to worship Roman gods in addition to their own for the benefit of Rome. Jews and Christians refused and were, while initially to some degree ‘tolerated,’ ultimately persecuted--Christians more than Jews who were bolder in their beliefs. That this key point of history was at no point mentioned would normally be striking but my expectations of such types of authors were for precisely this. Not everyone understands the need to mention this. To those who understand, see.

The various sculptures and paintings form a good picture of the demon worship that occurred in this part of the world, in which time Christ chose to come.

Hinds asserts to the undermining of her own credibility that Christian persecution was "rare." Christian persecution was, to the contrary, very great. I see this as none other than a testament to the dislike and disdain of Christians, for all the resources in the world were available to her to know that this was the case (p.70). Unsurprising, Christians are painted by Hinds in a negative light, and immediately so, after minimizing their great suffering. As innocent it seem, it's both present and evident to the careful eye. This all the while having absolutely no idea of the great impact of Jesus and Christ followers on the entire world in every facet of human existence (arts, music, science, education, even other religions, and so on). On this point I suggest the consultation of the excellent book Person of Interest by J. Warner Wallace.

Finally, Hinds’ religious or epistemological beliefs are clear, but religious “tolerance” isn’t a thing. Moreover, (p.73) we do not all worship the same God. Far from it. The world’s religions, gods, and deities may be compatible with each other, but they are incompatible with Christianity. Truth (again referring to this final page) is exclusive. Those who learn that would be better off. More can be said on this point, but I shall leave it at that, at least for the time being. Questions are, however, welcome. If it is of any interest for me to elaborate on, I will do so.

This book was to me very simply a source of information on the pagan practices of Rome in arguably the most important time in history. However, as can be expected we hear the echo of woke dogma in the end and in some instances throughout. This particular point does not affect my score more than the general nature and content of the inaccuracies do, though. It was acceptably written for a short little book.