Polytheistic Religions In Roman Britain

Roman Britain had polytheistic religions, in which a ‘variety of gods could be propitiated at many levels’. At one end of the spectrum were the officials of the emperor and the ‘Capitoline Triad: Jupiter, Juno and Minerva, linked to other Olympian gods like Mars’ . At the other end ‘every spring, every river, every cross-roads, lake or wood’ had its own local spirit with its ‘own local shrine’ . The Romans had no problem in combining these with their own gods, simply associating them with the gods or goddesses who most resembled them. There were professional intellectuals such as ‘poets, political advisors, teachers, healers and arbitrators’ who had an extensive power over extended society in relation to religious culture. As previously mentioned Romans were polytheists and disregarded any ideas or beliefs linked to monotheistic systems e.g. Christianity as it failed to incorporate any beliefs linked to the Romans gods. Druidism which was part of the Celtic tradition was believed to be somewhat ‘harmful to the public order of Roman law’ . This ultimately became a problem as Rome’s intentions at the time were to gain full control over Britain and be able to dominate accordingly. Claudius took it upon himself to ‘physically remove’ a great deal of the Celtic religious customs as they massively challenged
The Celtic people would look to them for ‘instruction’ regarding almost every issue i.e. money and education. Romans took a strong dislike towards the Druidic influence which enhanced their beliefs that the eradication and eventual dissolution of this great influence would ultimately lead to full control over Britain which was deemed as essential to fully govern Britain. Roman legions’ embarked on a campaign of terror against the Druids, as the latter refused polytheistic Roman religious beliefs, and thus rejected Roman governmental prerogative’