... - distinguishes between mythological stories about the Gods, which he regards as something Greek, and Roman expectations of Religion. Roman Religion is made up of (1) ritual, (2) taking auspices, and (3) prophetic warnings issued by interpreters of Sibylline oracles, or entrails of sacrificed animals, on the basis of portents and omens. In other words, stories about the Gods were unimportant, religion's function was to maintain a stable relationship between the Gods and the Roman State, and Rome's past success was its justification. Gods and Goddesses During the sixth century BC the Romans came into contact with two other nations who lived in different parts of Italy - the Etruscans and the Greeks. The Etruscans settled just across the river Tiber to the north of Rome and exerted great power over all the towns in the area, including Rome. They themselves had been in contact with Greek ideas and they introduced many of them ...

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