That was a very interesting analysis Moravius, but I have one question. Who are we really to know every complexity of the state cult? These priests had to study for most of their lives to get these things down right. Who is to say that some nuance of the proper function, now lost in the mists of time, could have invalidated (or not invalidated) a certain function of the state?

We may know of certain things handed down to us, but I am sure there is still a lot we will never know, so to speak in absolutes about something like Roman religion seems to be treading a dangerous path. Like all religions, it was highly complex such that it could be used by a select few and thus these select few could retain that power over the people....but I suppose that is another story.