Power and Religious Acculturation in Romano-celtic Society (British Archaeological Reports British Series)

This study, focused on Gloucestershire, investigates the effect of Roman occupation on native religious practice. It examines the architecture and location of villas and Romano-Celtic temples, finding them to be closely associated. Indeed it appears that the more wealthy and Romanised villa sites are, the more likely they are to have a Romano-celtic temple site in close proximity. Roman customs were thus predominantly adopted by the local aristocracy, both as a means of exerting their own power and status, and to secure the backing of the Roman administration.