Vindolanda shrine (July 2009)

[Tarbicus]

Interesting question about the Romans destroying religious sites (which may deserve its own thread).
There certainly were exceptions when it came to sparing religious sites of their foes which just
probably proves the rule : Druids, Jews, Christians, and Manichaens.

Good point. What strikes me is that the Druids were reputed to perform human sacrifice, also the Carthaginians to Ba'al. Judaism was monotheistic and performed circumcision. Christianity was monotheistic and was rumoured to perform cannabilism as well as being evangelical. Manichaeism was also evangelistic in nature, with a mission to replace all other religions; St. Augustine was one before converting to Christianity, and it was the greatest rival to Christianity at the time. So, they seem to all have had traits that could be seen as blasphemous (to a pagan), and/or had rituals involving mutilation or cannibalism, and/or sought to undermine the state through religion.

Just thinking aloud.