Chapter XX: The Roman Religion: the Priesthoods,

the Vestal Virgins

345. Religious Symbols Everywhere in Rome 407

346. Epicureanism and Agnosticism among the Upper Classes 407

347. Stoicism: Revival of Religion under the Empire 408

348. Foreign Cults Intruded upon the “Religion of Numa” 410

349. Superstitious Piety of the City Plebeians 411

350. Roman Religion Originally Developed by Italian Farmers 411

351. Native Italian Gods: Janus, Saturn, Flora. The Lares
and Penates 413

352. Personified Virtues as Gods: Cold and Legalistic Character
of the Roman Religion 414

353. Priestly Offices: Little Sacrosanct about Them 416

354. The Pontifices 417

355. The Augurs 418

356. The Flamens 420

357. The _Salii_ (“Holy Leapers”) 421

358. The _Fetiales_ (“Sacred Heralds”): Ceremony of Declaring
War 422

359. The Arval Brethren (_Fratres Arvales_) 423

360. Rustic Ceremonies; Soothsaying, Astrologers, and
Witches 424

361. A Private Sacrifice 425

362. Ceremony at the Temple 426

363. A Formal Prayer: the Actual Sacrifice 428

364. The Vestal Virgins: Their Sanctity and Importance 429

365. The Temple of Vesta and the House of the Vestals 431

366. Appointment of Vestals 432

367. Duties of the Vestals: the Maxima 433

368. Punishments of Erring Vestals 434

369. Remarkable Honors Granted the Vestals 435

Chapter XXI. The Foreign Cults: Cybele, Isis,
Mithras. The Christians in Pagan Eyes

370. Saturnalia: the Exchange of Presents on New Year’s Day 437

371. Multiplication of Oriental Cults 437

372. The Cult of the Deified Emperors 439

373. The “Divine Augustus” and His Successors 439

374. The Cult of Cybele, the “Great Mother” 441

375. Cult of Isis and Associated Egyptian Gods 442

376. Ceremonies at an Isis Temple 443

377. Cult of Serapis and of Other Oriental Gods 445

378. The Cult of Mithras: Its Relative Nobility 445

379. The _Taurobolium_ (“Bath in Bull’s Blood”) 447

380. The Christians: Pagan Account of Their Origin 449

381. The Persecution of Christians: Their “Insane Obstinacy” 450

382. Current Charges against the Christians 451

Chapter XXII. A Roman Villa. The Love of the
Country

383. Appreciation of Country Life by the Romans 453

384. Praises of the Country Towns and Villas 453

385. Comfortable Modes of Travel: Luxurious Litters
and Carriages 454

386. Multiplication of Villas: Seashore Estates at Baiæ, etc. 456

387. Villas in the Mountains; Small Farms near Rome 457

388. Great Estates in the Hills: Pliny’s Tuscan Villa 458

389. Charming Location of Pliny’s Villa 460

390. Terraces of the Villa: the Porticoes: Summer-Houses
and Bedrooms 462

391. The Baths: the Rear Apartments: the Riding Course 464

392. The Fountains and Luxurious Pavilions in the Gardens 465

393. Life of Sensuous Luxury at Such a Villa. Contrast in
Human Conditions under the Roman Régime 466