Gods and Cult Objects in Roman Houses. Notes for a Methodological Research

This contribution proposes some methodological observations for the study of domestic cult objects from the mid-late republican age to late antiquity, juxtaposing material finds and ancient literary evidence. Firstly, the subjects taking part in sacred ceremonies are taken into consideration (the dominus and his family, the clientes in the case of aristocratic homes, the servant familia), along with their role in the rituals and the artefacts that could suggest their participation, both in daily house rituals and in special occasions. Secondly, some reflections will be offered on the possible difference between types of cult objects found in the sacred spaces of urban dwellings or mansions, and those from countryside residences, in the light of literary evidence too. This in order to understand whether there is a specificity to cult objects in relation to the divinities invoked to watch over the house, and to the type of economic activity performed by the house lord. To this end the main types of cult objects from Roman Italy dwellings and some imperial provinces are presented as examples.