Foreign Cults

Front 1

Cult of Isis

Back 1

Whatis interesting in particular about the cult of Isis was its attraction ofwomen, which led Juvenal to condemn its effects in his third satire.

probably due to how the cult allowed women a sense of religious freedom that didn't exist in state religion.

The strength of the cult is shown by how women were willing to endure terrible trials to show their faith (such as jumping into the frozen Tiber like Juvenal describes).

Front 2

Mithras

Back 2

The cult of Mithras contrasted strongly to state religion in that its rites were conducted in dark caves, much unlike the grand temples that traditional religion endorsed.

Front 3

Cybele

Back 3

Another cult, the cult of Cybele is describedin a poem (ILS 5172) that details the purpose given to a worship who though“puny” finds enlightenment}]

Front 4

Tacitus Histories

Back 4

On Jews “novelrites, quite different from those of the rest of the human race” before goingon to explain how they refused to be incorporated into Roman religion, choosinginstead to follow their own laws.

Front 5

Juvenal satires 14.96-106

Back 5

Jewsare very isolated from other peoples, and how jewish sympathisers are likely toraise children who will become more and more attuned to the Jewish cause,saying they will become indoctrinated and go on to “remove their foreskins”