Human sacrifice is the act of killing one or more humans, usually as an offering to a deity, as part of a ritual. Human sacrifice has been practiced in various cultures throughout history, for various reasons, such as to appease the gods, to ensure fertility, to honor the dead, or to punish the enemies. However, human sacrifice was also seen as a barbaric and abhorrent practice by some civilizations, such as the Romans.
The Romans were one of the most influential and powerful empires in the ancient world, and they had a complex and sophisticated religion that was influenced by the Greeks, the Etruscans, and other peoples they conquered. The Romans believed in many gods and goddesses, who were responsible for different aspects of life and nature, and who had to be worshipped and honored with rituals and ceremonies. One of the most common and important rituals was sacrifice, which was the act of offering something valuable to the gods, such as animals, food, wine, or incense.
But what about human sacrifice in the Roman world? Did the Romans ever practice it? And if so, why did they oppose it later on? In this blog post, we will explore these questions and more, based on the historical evidence and sources.
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One of the earliest examples of human sacrifice in Rome dates back to the 6th century BCE, when according to legend, a Vestal Virgin named Tarpeia betrayed the city to the Sabines in exchange for their gold bracelets. She was killed by being crushed under their shields, and her body was thrown from the Tarpeian Rock, a cliff on the Capitoline Hill. This was seen as a form of sacrificial execution that appeased the gods and deterred treason.
Another example of human sacrifice in Rome occurred in 228 BCE, when two Gauls and two Greeks were buried alive in a stone chamber at the Forum Boarium, a cattle market near the Tiber River. This was done as a response to a series of disasters and defeats that Rome suffered at the hands of its enemies, such as Hannibal and his Carthaginian army. The Romans believed that these calamities were caused by the anger of the gods, who demanded human blood to be placated. The choice of victims was based on the idea that they represented the enemies of Rome: Gauls from the north and Greeks from the south.
A similar ritual was repeated in 216 BCE, after the catastrophic Battle of Cannae, where Rome lost tens of thousands of soldiers to Hannibal. This time, three Gauls and three Greeks were buried alive at the same location.
Other instances of human sacrifice in Rome involved gladiatorial games, which were originally religious ceremonies that involved combat between prisoners of war or criminals, who were seen as offerings to the gods or the spirits of the dead. The first recorded gladiatorial games took place in 264 BCE, when three pairs of gladiators fought to honor the deceased Junius Brutus Pera. Over time, the games became more secularized and spectacular, involving hundreds or thousands of gladiators, who fought for the entertainment of the public and the glory of the sponsors. However, some scholars argue that the gladiatorial games still retained some elements of sacrifice, such as the ritual salute to the emperor or the sponsor before the fight, the use of religious symbols and gestures during the fight, and the disposal of the corpses after the fight.
Why did the Romans oppose human sacrifice?
Despite these examples, human sacrifice was not a common or accepted practice in Roman society. In fact, it was seen as a barbaric and abhorrent practice that violated the natural order and the human dignity. The Romans opposed human sacrifice for several reasons, such as:
Religious reasons: The Romans believed that the gods preferred animal sacrifices over human ones, as animals were more pure and innocent than humans. They also believed that human sacrifices were ineffective and counterproductive, as they could provoke the wrath or the pity of the gods, rather than their favor. Moreover, they believed that human sacrifices were associated with foreign or primitive cults, such as those of the Carthaginians, who sacrificed their children to Moloch; or the Druids, who burned their victims in wicker cages .
Legal reasons: The Romans had a strict legal system that protected the rights and the lives of their citizens and their allies. They considered human sacrifice as a form of murder, which was punishable by death or exile. They also considered human sacrifice as a form of treason, which was punishable by confiscation of property or proscription. The Roman law also prohibited the killing of slaves without a valid reason, as they were seen as valuable property .
Moral reasons: The Romans had a high sense of morality and humanity that valued the virtues of justice, mercy, and piety. They regarded human sacrifice as a cruel and inhumane act that violated the natural law and the social order. They also regarded human sacrifice as a cowardly and dishonorable act that betrayed the trust and the loyalty of their friends and their allies .
How did the Romans abolish human sacrifice?
The Romans took several measures to abolish human sacrifice in their empire. Some of these measures were:
Legislative measures: The Romans enacted laws that banned or restricted human sacrifice in their territories. One of the earliest laws was the Lex Cornelia de Sicariis et Veneficis, passed in 81 BCE by the dictator Sulla, which outlawed murder, poisoning, and witchcraft, and included human sacrifice as one of the crimes. Another law was the Senatus Consultum de Bacchanalibus, passed in 186 BCE by the Senate, which suppressed the Bacchanalian cult, which was accused of practicing human sacrifice and other atrocities. A third law was the Senatus Consultum de Superstitionibus, passed in 97 BCE by the Senate, which abolished human sacrifice altogether and punished those who performed it.
Military measures: The Romans waged wars against those peoples who practiced human sacrifice, such as the Carthaginians, the Gauls, and the Britons. They destroyed their temples, altars, and idols, and imposed their religion and culture on them. They also captured or killed their priests, prophets, and leaders, who were seen as the instigators and promoters of human sacrifice .
Cultural measures: The Romans promoted their own religion and culture as superior and civilized, and denounced human sacrifice as inferior and barbaric. They used literature, art, propaganda, and education to spread their views and values. They also encouraged or forced the conversion of those who practiced human sacrifice to their religion or to Christianity, which was adopted as the official religion of the empire in the 4th century CE .
Conclusion
Human sacrifice was a controversial and complex issue in the Roman world. On one hand, it was practiced in some occasions and contexts, especially in times of crisis or war. On the other hand, it was opposed and condemned by the Roman authorities and society, for religious, legal, and moral reasons. The Romans took various measures to abolish human sacrifice in their empire, such as legislative, military, and cultural measures. They also influenced other civilizations with their views and values on this matter.
We hope this blog post has helped you learn more about why the Romans opposed human sacrifice. If you want to know more facts about Roman sacrifice in general, you can check out these sources:
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Thank you for reading this blog post and we hope you enjoy learning about the ancient world!