During Jesus' lifetime, the Roman Empire was home to a diverse array of religious beliefs and practices:
## Polytheistic Roman Religion
The most influential and widespread religion in the Roman Empire was the traditional Roman polytheism[1]. This belief system included:
- Worship of numerous gods and goddesses
- Incorporation of deities from conquered territories
- State-sponsored religious rituals and festivals
- Emperor worship, which was gaining prominence
## Other Influential Religions
While Roman polytheism dominated, other significant religions included:
- Judaism: Particularly influential in Judea and among diaspora communities
- Mystery cults: Such as the cults of Isis, Mithras, and Dionysus
- Greek religious traditions: Often syncretized with Roman beliefs
- Local indigenous religions: Varied across different regions of the empire
## Emerging Christianity
During Jesus' lifetime, Christianity was in its nascent stages and considered a small, radical sect of Judaism by Roman authorities[1]. It had not yet gained significant influence in the broader empire.
## Imperial Cult
The worship of emperors as divine figures was becoming increasingly important, serving both religious and political functions in maintaining imperial power[2].
The religious landscape of the Roman Empire during Jesus' time was characterized by pluralism and syncretism, with traditional Roman polytheism being the most influential and widespread belief system.
Sources
[1] Religion in ancient Rome - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_ancient_Rome
[2] Faith In Ancient Rome: What Religion Were The Romans Who ... https://biblebreathe.com/what-religion-were-the-romans-who-crucified-jesus/
[3] Christianity as the Roman state religion - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_as_the_Roman_state_religion
[4] The Roman Empire During the Time of Jesus (Background of Luke's ... https://www.kurtwillems.com/blog/roman-empire-during-time-jesus
[5] What other religions were there during Jesus' time? : r/TrueChristian https://www.reddit.com/r/TrueChristian/comments/197hr3s/what_other_religions_were_there_during_jesus_time/