Ritual

Research Case: Why did religious defects cause the resignation of public officials and a shift to an interregnum?

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A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 5 1. Question Why did religious defects cause the resignation of public officials and a shift to an interregnum? This question is not only about the fact that religion was important in ancient Rome.In Livy’s History of Rome from its Foundation, Book 5, the authority … Read more

Research Case: Why did oracles, omens, and rituals function as triggers for institutional repair in the decision-making OS of the Roman state?

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A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 5 ted as one integrated structure that supported the legitimacy of the state OS. During the Veii War, Rome continued a long siege.But military action alone could not solve the problem.The war had become long. Commanders were in conflict. War tax created opposition. Soldiers’ pay … Read more

Research Case: Why did Rome need not only military power, but also oracles, omens, and rituals in the conquest of Veii?

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A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 5 1. Question Why did Rome need not only military power, but also oracles, omens, and rituals in the conquest of Veii? This question is not only about ancient religious belief.In Livy’s History of Rome from its Foundation, Book 5, the conquest of Veii was … Read more

Research Case: Why Did Even a Founding State Need Not Only the Power of the King, but Also an Upper-Level Approval Mechanism?

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A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 1 1. Question Why did even a founding state need not only the power of the king, but also an upper-level approval mechanism that complemented it? 2. Abstract Even a founding state needed not only the power of the king, but also an upper-level approval … Read more

Research Case: Why Is the Greatest Value of Kingship Not the Power to Command, but the Power to Give a Community a Form That Holds It Together?

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A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 1 1. Question Why is the greatest value of kingship not the power to command itself, but the power to give a community a form that holds it together? 2. Abstract The greatest value of kingship lies not in the power to command itself, but … Read more

Research Case: Why Does a Ruler Who Neglects Ritual Damage Order in the Long Run Even If He Achieves Military Success?

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A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 1 1. Question Why does a ruler who neglects ritual damage order in the long run even if he achieves military success? 2. Abstract A ruler who neglects ritual damages order in the long run even if he achieves military success because military victory itself … Read more

Research Case: Why Did Ritual Become a Device That Converted State Violence into Order, Rather Than Remaining a Mere Religious Act?

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A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 1 1. Question Why did ritual become a device that converted state violence into order, rather than remaining a mere religious act? 2. Abstract Ritual became a device that converted state violence into order, rather than remaining a mere religious act, because in an ancient … Read more

Research Case: Why did larger decisions such as war and founding require legitimation through ritual and omens?

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A Three-Layer Analysis (TLA) of Livy, History of Rome, Book 1 1. Question Why did larger decisions such as war and founding require legitimation through ritual and omens? 2. Abstract Larger decisions such as war and founding required legitimation through ritual and omens because they were high-risk and irreversible judgments that could suddenly change the … Read more