The Economics of Roman Religion
Andrew Wilson
Nick M Ray
Angela TrentacosteTemples served as treasuries and banks, and priesthoods came with political power. The expansion of Roman religion transformed economies throughout the Empire, affecting established institutions and creating new centres of sacred consumption and production. Roman religion mobilised vast quantities of wealth and resources, but tensions between traditional piety and financial expenditure remained. This dynamic interplay between religion and the economy created a complex system that has hitherto received little attention. This conference brings together an international body of scholars to discuss the economic role of religion in the Roman world. A variety of historical and archaeological approaches will explore the subject throughout the Republican and Imperial periods. Through examination of the economic function of religious institutions, the role of priests and patrons, and the provincial impact of Roman religion, this meeting aims to understand better the nature and extent of religion's influence on the wider economy and how it changed with the growth of the Empire. Free registration.