While there is no requirement within the Religio Romana to express or hold a specific creed, some Religio Romana practitioners aspire to adopt ancient roman values, virtues, and philosophy - although adaptations to these values may occur, to make allowances for changed social realties.
Roman Virtues
Regarding both men and women, ancient roman values and virtues may be said to include:
- pietas (in the sense of an unswerving sense of duty, devotion, and loyalty to one's family, friends, country, and gods),
- gravitas (taking one’s responsibilities seriously and earnestly),
- diligence, energy, and industriousness,
- steadfastness and patience,
- dignity, austerity, and elegance in manner and dress,
- restraint and self-discipline (emotional control),
- syncretism, open-mindedness, and tolerance.
Note that while ethical behavior as an expression of pietas or philosophical beliefs is strongly encouraged, it is not necessarily required in order to obtain the favor of the gods, thus a preoccupation with sin, as understood in Abrahamic religions, does not factor.
Philosophy
The philosophy of Religio Romana practitioners varies, though an interest in philosophical schools of thought that were common during the greco-roman period is not uncommon. Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Neoplatonism were the most popular philosophical schools during the roman era.
Related Pages
External Links
- www.philosophybasics.com/historical_roman.html
- www.philosophybasics.com/historical_hellenistic.html
- www.patheos.com/blogs/religioromana/2011/06/mos-maiorum
- romanpolytheist.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/roman-virtues-an-introduction/