ProQuest Dissertations - Historia Antigua

uilders could in theory accommodate their own beliefs or family traditions.In somecases, the identity of the god did carry specific messages about the intentions andpolitical allegiances of the dedicator, however, as in the aedicula of Concordia dedicatedby Flavius. 1In short, Roman religion was far too flexible and open to create an obvious anddistinct state cult. The cults that defined Rome as being Roman were often linked veryclosely to their places of origin; these were augmented by steady importation of newcults. Nor was Roman religion, as a phenomenon, static once it was established: therewere different fashions in religious practice and location throughout the middle Republic.These fashions were often driven by the needs of the men who vowed and dedicatedtemples - the generals and aediles. Ultimately, there was a great deal of religiousfreedom and change in mid-Republican Rome, as long as the pax deorum was maintainedand the custom of observing religious practice in public was respected.V. Roman Religion in the ColoniesModern scholarship thus demonstrates that there is no concrete and distinct Roman statecult, rather religious fashion in the middle Republic is changing and the generals areamong the ones who are changing it. These same generals, as we have seen, are often themen who lead out colonies into the places they have conquered, often the same placeswhere they made their original temple vow while in battle. Therefore, it will beinformative to examine religion in the colonies to see if it corresponds to religion inRome, to the vows of the generals, to the local religion, or some combination thereof.119 Ibid. p. 192.120 Ibid.35