Very interesting points about the religious panic amongst Romans with the deity Elagabalus. With their concept of pax deorum, one wonders if their reaction to this strange new god might have felt like modern reactions to unfamiliar economic measures (especially those that go against 'common wisdom'). I'd say most of us place some 'blind' faith on the economy -- we know it works without having to question exactly how. Maybe likewise with religion for the Romans. To them upsetting the pax deorum might have, on the emotional level, seemed like abolishing market capitalism to us, a bizarre upsetting of "the way things simply are".
Excellent episode yet again. Travels Through Time is one of the best podcasts out there on history. Quality. In comparison the BBC History Extra podcasts pale in comparison. They need to up their game considerably to get even close to this podcast.
Very interesting points about the religious panic amongst Romans with the deity Elagabalus. With their concept of pax deorum, one wonders if their reaction to this strange new god might have felt like modern reactions to unfamiliar economic measures (especially those that go against 'common wisdom'). I'd say most of us place some 'blind' faith on the economy -- we know it works without having to question exactly how. Maybe likewise with religion for the Romans. To them upsetting the pax deorum might have, on the emotional level, seemed like abolishing market capitalism to us, a bizarre upsetting of "the way things simply are".
Excellent episode yet again. Travels Through Time is one of the best podcasts out there on history. Quality. In comparison the BBC History Extra podcasts pale in comparison. They need to up their game considerably to get even close to this podcast.
Thank you for this generous comment. Very happy to hear that you are enjoying the episodes!
Really enjoyed this as I had never heard of him,. fascinating
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!