Evocatio

Definition

Evocatio is a religious ritual in ancient Rome where a god or goddess is invited to leave one place and come to another, often associated with the transfer of divine protection from a conquered city to Rome. This practice highlights the Romans' belief in the importance of divine favor and the strategic use of religion in warfare and politics. It was commonly performed during military campaigns to ensure that Roman forces had the support of deities, reinforcing the connection between religion and the expansion of the Roman state.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Evocatio was used primarily when Romans conquered other cities, allowing them to claim the divine protection of local gods for their own benefit.
2. This ritual could be part of a broader set of religious practices aimed at ensuring military success and stability after conquests.
3. By performing evocatio, Roman leaders sought to demonstrate their power not only over people but also over the gods associated with those people.
4. The act of inviting a deity to Rome could also symbolize the assimilation of conquered cultures into Roman life, as their gods became part of Roman worship.
5. Evocatio reflects a fundamental aspect of Roman identity, showcasing how they blended religion with statecraft to justify their expansionist policies.

Review Questions

• How did evocatio serve as a strategic tool for Romans during military campaigns?
  • Evocatio served as a strategic tool by allowing Roman leaders to seek divine favor from local deities when conquering cities. This ritual aimed to ensure that the gods would protect Roman forces, thus enhancing their chances of success in battle. By inviting these deities to abandon their former city and join Rome, it not only reinforced military morale but also legitimized Rome's dominance over conquered territories.
• Discuss the implications of evocatio on the relationship between conquered peoples and Roman authority.
  • The practice of evocatio had significant implications for how conquered peoples related to Roman authority. By inviting local deities to come to Rome, it symbolized the subjugation of those cities and integrated their religious practices into Roman culture. This ritual highlighted the Romans' belief in their divine right to rule while fostering a sense of inclusion for conquered peoples within the larger Roman framework, even as it asserted dominance.
• Evaluate how evocatio illustrates the interplay between religion and state in ancient Rome's expansionist policies.
  • Evocatio illustrates a complex interplay between religion and state within ancient Rome's expansionist policies by showing how religious rituals were employed to justify military actions. By performing evocatio, Romans not only sought divine assistance but also utilized religion as a means of integrating conquered territories into their empire. This blending of spiritual and political motives highlighted how deeply intertwined faith was with governance in Rome, underpinning their quest for power and influence across the Mediterranean.

Related terms

Lares: Household gods in Roman religion that were believed to protect the home and family, often invoked during rituals for safety and prosperity.

Pax Deorum: The 'peace of the gods' concept in Roman religion, where maintaining favorable relations with deities was essential for the success of the state and its leaders.

Augury: A practice in ancient Rome involving the interpretation of omens from the behavior of birds, often used to guide decisions in both public and private affairs.