Ritual and Society | 9 | Cults and Cultural Transition | Kathryn Lomas (original) (raw)

Cults and religious activities occupied a central position in the life of all ancient cities, and those of Magna Graecia were no exception to this. In addition, there is particular reason to examine the cults, priesthoods, festivals and forms of worship which continued into the Roman period. The cities of southern Italy were societies in a state of cultural transition, caught between their native Greek culture, the Oscan elements which had been absorbed to a greater or lesser degree, and the increasing cultural dominance of Rome. The centrality of religious activities to the life of these cities allows us to observe the process of this cultural transition and the ways in which these cities adapted both to Roman influences and to non-Italian influences in an area vital to their existence.