The vision of the Hereafter in Roman religiosity: the transmigration of souls as a message of hope

Abstract

It is proposed a brief characterization of the Roman eschatology developed between the late Republic and the Imperial period, in order to contextualize the process of assimilation the Roman citizens carried out of metempsychosis doctrine. For this purpose, we will study several mythical and philosophical sources but also archaeological remains to check the real repercussion these postulates may have had beyond the poetical or philosophical circle. Finally, we will try to point out the message of hope showed in the Roman eschatology as well as the real innovation of the Christian eschatology that will be imposed from the 4th century on.