384. The Roman Invasion: Gods on Hadrian’s Wall (Ep 2)
Summary
Hosts Anita Arnon and William Drummond join historian Eleanor Barraclough to explore religious syncretism in Roman Britain. They discuss how Romans merged Celtic deities like Sulis Minerva and Nodens with their own pantheon, examining evidence from Hadrian’s Wall altars and Bath’s curse tablets. The episode also covers the spread of mystery cults like Mithraism among diverse legionaries and the fusion of artistic styles.
Topics discussed
Intro and sponsor messages
Episode overview and Hadrian's Wall inspiration
Roman views on Druids and human sacrifice
Interpretatio Romana and syncretism
Preservation of artifacts in Britain
The Temple of Sulis Minerva at Bath
Curse tablets and everyday grievances
Local deities: Coventina and Antoninus
Nodens, Lydney Park, and Tolkien
Celtic art styles and cultural fusion
Mithraism and soldier religion
Early Christianity in Roman Britain
Outro and sponsor advertisements
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