Question
What was the Roman Emperor's view on other religions?
You can worship your own way as long as your respect the Roman Gods too
You HAD to only worship the Roman Gods
You could do what you wanted and didn't need to worship the Roman Gods
You can worship your own way as long as your respect the Roman Gods too
You HAD to only worship the Roman Gods
You could do what you wanted and didn't need to worship the Roman Gods
Answers
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
The first option is closest to correct.
Roman policy was largely pragmatic religious tolerance: conquered peoples could keep their gods and cults so long as they also showed loyalty to Rome’s public rites and the emperor (the imperial cult). Religion was tied to civic duty and public order, so refusal to participate in official sacrifices or to honour the emperor could be treated as disloyal or even treasonous. In practice local cults were often incorporated or syncretised. Exceptions existed (Jews normally received legal exemptions; Christians became targets when they refused civic rituals or at times of crisis), and policies varied by emperor and period.
Roman policy was largely pragmatic religious tolerance: conquered peoples could keep their gods and cults so long as they also showed loyalty to Rome’s public rites and the emperor (the imperial cult). Religion was tied to civic duty and public order, so refusal to participate in official sacrifices or to honour the emperor could be treated as disloyal or even treasonous. In practice local cults were often incorporated or syncretised. Exceptions existed (Jews normally received legal exemptions; Christians became targets when they refused civic rituals or at times of crisis), and policies varied by emperor and period.