Why the cults became so popular
The introduction to these cults, provided the Romans with a different stream for their beliefs and their religious needs. The cults gave the Romans something else to believe in rather then their traditional religion which had often been found wanting. The cults offered a colourful alternative in the way that the deities were worshipped and the festivals that were surrounding the cults. In ancient Rome, individual expression was seen as unimportant, this allowed the migration from the traditional religion to the foreign or mystery cults, were individual expression and belief was worshipped. Because the traditional Roman religion lacked scripture, moral code, optimism of the after life and no desire to convert people to their religion. The traditional religion lacked scripture that was spoken and the Romans wouldn't write down their rituals, there was no set belief that people had to subscribe to. The mystery cults attracted many Romans to worship their deities in hope of a better life and after life. Because of the expansion of the Roman Republic new cults and strands of religion was developed all over the Empire. James Renshaw the author of, In search of the Romans’ states that, many Romans wanted the hope of a great afterlife ‘Those who wanted a more hopeful view of death looked elsewhere’ (James Renshaw 2012).
Mystery cults became very popular, these cults would offer a religion that the traditional religion could not. The central element of the mystery cults was its followers and initiates into its secret worships and rituals to appease the deity. The cults would also reveal secrets and mysteries of the world that the traditional religion would not share. The central myth was the theme of death and resurrection of the deceased. These myths thus gave hope to the initiates that they too would live again after death in a blissful afterlife, unlike the gloomy underworld from the traditional religion. Platus was a Roman playwright of the Old Latin period, he describes that the “spirits of the dead can haunt the dwellings of the living” (J.M.C Toynbee.1971.34). Platus refers to a painting that depicts the tortures of Hades, however Platus does not state wether it is Greek or Roman, The afterlife is about destiny meaning that all men must expect a reckoning and judgement by death. Some other attractions that lead Romans to worship the cults were, the cults had a code of morality and the would emphasise on ethical behaviour between the Roman people. The close personal relationship with the deity and the worshipper. This was something that was not previously offered with the traditional religion and had a great appeal to the Roman people. The pastoral guidance from priests and the worshipper also had a large appeal. The greater equality from marginalised groups such as women and slaves. This was something that was new to the Romans, the Cults of Diana and Isis would treat all their worshippers equal no mater their social status and sexuality. The cults offered a lively and emotional worship in contrast to the state religion.
For these reasons, the introduced cults became vastly popular across the Roman Republic because they offered a more intimate and meaningful to their initiates.
Mystery cults became very popular, these cults would offer a religion that the traditional religion could not. The central element of the mystery cults was its followers and initiates into its secret worships and rituals to appease the deity. The cults would also reveal secrets and mysteries of the world that the traditional religion would not share. The central myth was the theme of death and resurrection of the deceased. These myths thus gave hope to the initiates that they too would live again after death in a blissful afterlife, unlike the gloomy underworld from the traditional religion. Platus was a Roman playwright of the Old Latin period, he describes that the “spirits of the dead can haunt the dwellings of the living” (J.M.C Toynbee.1971.34). Platus refers to a painting that depicts the tortures of Hades, however Platus does not state wether it is Greek or Roman, The afterlife is about destiny meaning that all men must expect a reckoning and judgement by death. Some other attractions that lead Romans to worship the cults were, the cults had a code of morality and the would emphasise on ethical behaviour between the Roman people. The close personal relationship with the deity and the worshipper. This was something that was not previously offered with the traditional religion and had a great appeal to the Roman people. The pastoral guidance from priests and the worshipper also had a large appeal. The greater equality from marginalised groups such as women and slaves. This was something that was new to the Romans, the Cults of Diana and Isis would treat all their worshippers equal no mater their social status and sexuality. The cults offered a lively and emotional worship in contrast to the state religion.
For these reasons, the introduced cults became vastly popular across the Roman Republic because they offered a more intimate and meaningful to their initiates.