The intellectual alliance of Athens with Rome panned the spotlight of Western history from Greece to the Roman world. The radiance of Hellenistic culture was passing, but many felt its powerful influence as it illuminated cultures fromSpaintoChina.  Social strata sharply divided the Roman republic’s people, as the abundant use of money in commerce enabled people to acquire wealth, slaves, travel, and leisure. Conquered nations were taxed to support the Roman citizens who paid none. The rich got richer. The plebes sunk into poverty. Enslaved nations provided the labor to build the empire. Like ancient religions from the Orient, the emperor claimed he was a god.

Early Roman religion was a more practical, simple, version of Greek mythology with anthropomorphic gods such as the great sky god, Jupiter and the water god, Neptune.  The government orchestrated much of the religious activity and performed many of the priestly duties.  Their disbelief in the power of the gods could not be hidden, and this contributed to the disintegration of the ancient Roman faiths.  Cynically, the orator Cicero remarked that the gods were only needed to prevent chaos in society.  Wealthy Romans hired Greek tutors, permeating Rome with Hellenic ideas, art, science, literature, and religion.  In this way, the philosophy of the Epicureans, Stoics, and Plato made their way to Rome, leading to further erosion of Roman religious ideals.

This is only a short summary of this topic.  To find out more, please get Why Adam and Eve Created God.