The Imperial Policy and the Religion of the Soldiers from Roman Dacia during the Reign of Trajan-Hadria
Atalia Ştefănescu
- abstract -
The religious policy unfolded during the reign of the emperors Trajan and Hadrian emphasized the support of the traditional cults, promoted especially as images on currency issues. It is well known that for the emperor Trajan the religion mattered only if it influenced the political life. The reason for his politics was to encrease the power of Rome, to develop his political power and to strengthen the national traditions. This is the reason why Vesta became national deity in his time and also why he was tolerant to the oriental cults.
Hadrian continued the religious politics of Trajan and considered his political power an emanation from Jupiter. He encouraged the same cults as his predecessor.
According to this policy, most of the inscriptions raised by soldiers in Dacia worshipped traditional gods of the state. The image outlined by the inscriptions and the votive images suggests a certain conformism to the state religion. It is also the expression of the romanisation process, partially developped by the Roman army.