Lektisternij: bogovi za stolom u antičkom Rimu / Lectisternium: Gods at the Table in Ancient Rome

This paper on the lectisternium provides a detailed explanation of this ancient Roman ritual in its role as a key element in the religious and social practices of the Romans. The lectisternium was a ceremony in which the Romans prepared meals for their gods on specially arranged couches, creating the illusion of a divine presence at their feast. This ritual had a profound religious and social dimension, especially during times of crisis such as epidemics and wars, when the Romans prayed to their deities for mercy and protection. The ritual also promoted unity and solidarity among citizens, who opened the doors of their homes and temporarily set aside disagreements, thus bringing a conciliatory character to the ritual. Over time, as social and religious norms changed, the lectisternium gradually lost its significance, and was replaced with new rituals coinciding with the introduction of Christianity. The paper thus provides insight into the importance of this ritual in the context of Roman social and religious life, highlighting its role in shaping Roman social and religious structures.