Cult of Isis and potential growth

Alright, first off, important this one, this was already discussed in a topic a few weeks ago (?) and the post I am to add here is from that topic. Why do I make this topic, then? Since I wouldn't want to revive an old topic (Unless it's only wrong after x weeks/months or something). So yeah, if this is frowned upon, apologies.

Secondly, I will not write a timeline about this, this is just for the potential after effects, mainly for the Cult of Isis, but when can talk about additional effects as well if anyone wants. Why not, you ask? Simple. I know that if I start writing a timeline, I'll be making either 5 or 6 updates, then forget about it, then read about it a few months later. Wouldn't be the first time...

Finally, have fun. A nice little discussion or interesting arguments are always a good spending of time! (Love reading some of the comments on this site after all)

So, without further ado (sp?), here is the post:

32 B.C. - War is declared on Cleopatra and Antony aids her instantly. The Senate strips him of his powers and labeled him as enemy and traitor to the Roman people. But a few nights later, a guard loyal to Octavian's side, defects and tries to assassinate Cleopatra and Antony. He fails, leading to Antony going through a purging of the people to root out potential traitors.

31 B.C. - With the purges full on their way, a lot of native people find themselves fleeing the executioners, towards the West. Many settle near Latium, especially in the poorer districts of Rome. The Cult of Isis begins an increased growth inside Rome.

Later the year Octavian invades Greece in mid-summer. Antonius, having aimed his sight at potential traitors, isn't properly prepared. The battle of near Actium is a crushing defeat for Antonius' forces. Based on reports of both Egyptian refugees and scout reports, Octavian takes a gamble and attacks by land, gaining a strong advantage over the badly assembled troops of his enemy.

Deciding to cut the snake's head off, he has his fleets block all entrances, crushing the enemy forces. Antonius commits suicide. When the news reaches Cleopatra, she too takes her own life. With his foes finally defeated, Octavian now marches on towards Egypt.

30 B.C. - The Cult of Isis is spreading through the rest of Italy. It proves to be constantly growing amongst the poorest of civilizations, though it manages to creep its way up to higher classes. Livia, Octavian's wife, finds herself intrigued by the religion, taking an increased interest.

29 B.C. - Octavian, having secured his lands, starts writing new laws, laying the foundations for the future empire. The Cult of Isis still spreads.

28 B.C. - Livia officially she announces she wishes to be part of the Cult of Isis, forcing Octavian to reconsider his stand against it (He was opposed in OTL due to his rivalry with Antonius and Cleopatra. Now, with a shortened war, lessening his dislike, and his own wife officially converting, he can reconsider easily)

27 B.C. - Octavian is officially named Augustus. Following the example of the First Citizen's wife, many of the upper-class women start considering conversion as well. The Cult spreads throughout the rest of Europe.


So yeah, basically this is a very short "timeline", but what I want to change by this is the following:
- The Cult of Isis faces less persecutions in the Empire.
- Due to the masses, it's the Cult of Isis that's promoted, not Mithras.
- An earlier spread throughout Europe helps secure its holdings.
- Having both poor and rich in the Cult also makes it easier to last.

So, what would you say? Plausible? ASB? :D
 
Having the Cult of Isis allow all classes of society to take part is very difficult to manage; nearly all cultic/civic religious activity in the ancient world at that time was in some way or another restricted. In Greece, most festivals were not open to non-citizen residents and to slaves, and I believe this is mostly the same in Rome. In Babylon only the 'priests' (this is a very broad category in Babylon and the word doesn't quite translate the concept) were even allowed to be inside the temples, and only the highest of those 'the temple-enterers' were allowed in the part of the temple with holy relics and suchlike.

My point is that to my knowledge, all cultic activity in these ancient societies was restricted by class or gender in some way, and the Cult of Isis was already unusual in freely allowing unisex ceremonies. It's not just a matter of saying 'why not let slaves take part', it's 'it would never occur to me that slaves should take part', it requires a sea change in social attitudes to happen overnight.

Also, I think that you cannot have 'allows all classes to take part' and 'avoids persecution' at the same time; the more widespread the appeal of the Cult, the more threatening it would be to the Senate/Empire. It threatens the fabric of Roman society and culture, and even if it did allow lower classes to participate it would still not magically convert everyone overnight, allowing the Roman authorities plenty of chances to try and fight it before it becomes too well established.
 
Sorry for the late reply, laddie. Anyways, I appreciate your feedback. Let's see if I got some life left in me to give a proper answer, eh? ;)

Whatever the case may be, I know there will be persecutions. Such a thing is nearly inevitable, as some rulers will always see it as a way to undermine their authority, becoming an indirect threat. Although I do admit you took me off guard with the fabrics of Roman society. It's true that I've read quite a lot about it, plenty of times.

So, is there any way to create a sort of balance between the classes? So sort of like equistrians (sp?), plebeians, etc managing to set aside their differences even for just this one thing, or am I hoping too much for an Utopia? If a change would be too early, after all, it would pretty much butterfly away the entire concept of the Roman Empire we have from this timeline, rendering the point of the thread useless.

Then again, if it's the entire ideology behind the cult matching against the entire ideology that forms the Roman people in general, this can just as well be considered impossible, right? If so, I must ask, how did Christianity manage to take root so efficiently and become the state religion? Pure luck?
 

Philip

Donor
If so, I must ask, how did Christianity manage to take root so efficiently

Several things come to mind.

  1. Charities open to everyone, including non-Christians.
  2. Preaching 'The last shall be first...' and such.
  3. Promising salvation to anyone regardless of status, race, gender, etc.
 
Have the Alamanni Cheif Serapion defeat Julian the Aposate and invade Gaul and Italy founding a lasting Kingdom.
 

Flubber

Banned
If so, I must ask, how did Christianity manage to take root so efficiently and become the state religion?


Christianity was the antitheses of usual mystery cults. It operated in a manner exactly opposite to those cults.

Among many other things and unlike all the cults of the same time period, membership was open to all and not just a selected few, everyone was supposedly equal in the eyes of the church, and charitable giving and other tangible social benefits were available to non-believers.

Christianity was a "big tent" when all the others required you to know the "secret handshake".
 
I want to revive this somewhat. I think I can propose a POD of a certain lets say 'revolutionary figure' who declares he has had a vision from the gods to change the nature of the cult to become more inclusive. It worked for the Buddha and Jesus.
 
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