Animism  

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-'''Ancient Roman religion''' encompasses the collection of [[belief]]s and [[ritual]]s practised in [[ancient Rome]] in the form of [[cult]] practices. It is therefore the practical counterpart of [[Roman mythology]]. Within the Roman world, religious practice varied enough so that one might speak of ''Roman religions''. The cult practices of [[Rome]] extended across [[Italy]] with the rise of the [[Roman Empire]]. These religions were [[polytheistic]], and as such are sometimes referred to as "[[pagan]]". +'''Animism''' (from Latin ''anima'' ([[soul]], [[life]])<ref name = "ooviqc">Segal, p. 14</ref><ref>"Animism", ''The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language'', p. 72</ref>) is a philosophical, religious or spiritual idea that [[soul]]s or [[spirit]]s exist not only in [[humans]] but also in other [[animal]]s, [[plant]]s, [[rock (geology)|rock]]s, natural phenomena such as [[thunder]], [[geographic]] features such as [[mountain]]s or [[river]]s, or other entities of the natural environment, a proposition also known as [[hylozoism]] in philosophy.
 +Animism may further attribute souls to abstract concepts such as words, [[true name]]s or metaphors in [[mythology]]. Religions which emphasize animism are mostly [[folk religion]]s, such as the various forms of [[Shamanism]], but also [[Shinto]] and certain currents of [[Hinduism]] emphasize the concept.
-The [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] originally followed a rural [[animism|animistic]] tradition, in which many [[spirit]]s were each responsible for specific, limited aspects of the cosmos and human activities, such as ploughing. The early Romans referred to these as ''[[numina]]''. Another aspect of this animistic belief was [[ancestor worship|ancestor]], or ''[[genius (mythology)|genius]]'', worship, with each family honoring their own dead by their own rites. [[Rome]] had a strong belief in gods. When they took over Greece, they inherited the Greek gods but fused them with their Roman counterparts. +Throughout European history, philosophers such as [[Plato]], [[Aristotle]], [[Thomas Aquinas]], among others, contemplated the possibility that souls exist in animals, plants and people.
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-[[Interpretatio graeca|Based heavily]] in [[Greek mythology|Greek]] and [[Etruscan mythology]], Roman religion came to encompass and absorb hundreds of other religions, developing a rich and complex [[Roman mythology|mythology]]. In addition, an [[Imperial cult (Ancient Rome)|Imperial cult]] supplemented the pantheon with [[Julius Caesar]] and some of the emperors.+
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-Under the [[Roman Empire|Empire]], religion in Rome evolved in many ways. Numerous foreign cults grew popular, such as the worship of the Egyptian [[Isis]] and the [[Persian Empire|Persian]] [[Mithras]]. The importance of the imperial cult grew steadily, reaching its peak during the [[Crisis of the Third Century]]. Also, [[Christianity]] began to spread in the Empire, gaining momentum in the second century. Despite persecutions, it steadily gained converts. It became an officially supported religion in the Roman state under [[Constantine I]]. All cults except Christianity were prohibited in [[391]] by an edict of Emperor [[Theodosius I]]. However, even in the fourth and fifth century Roman paganism kept its vitality. [[Temple (Roman)|Temples]] were still frequently visited, ancient beliefs and practices continued. As the original Roman religion faded, many aspects of its hierarchy remain ingrained in Christian ritual and in [[Western world|Western]] traditions.+
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Animism (from Latin anima (soul, life)<ref name = "ooviqc">Segal, p. 14</ref><ref>"Animism", The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, p. 72</ref>) is a philosophical, religious or spiritual idea that souls or spirits exist not only in humans but also in other animals, plants, rocks, natural phenomena such as thunder, geographic features such as mountains or rivers, or other entities of the natural environment, a proposition also known as hylozoism in philosophy. Animism may further attribute souls to abstract concepts such as words, true names or metaphors in mythology. Religions which emphasize animism are mostly folk religions, such as the various forms of Shamanism, but also Shinto and certain currents of Hinduism emphasize the concept.

Throughout European history, philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, among others, contemplated the possibility that souls exist in animals, plants and people.




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