Power and Religious Acculturation in Romano-Celtic Society

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.