Jörg Rüpke is going to present a working paper on 'Displaying Religion in Public Spaces: Neighbourhoods of a metropolis'

Materiality, and this is to say, touchability and visability of religion is of particular importance in urban contexts. In the multilayered and over- or under-determined urban space, religious practices use material forms in order to imprint a lasting religious character on some space and thus to appropriate it for temporary or permanent use. How does this work on the spatial level of neighbourhood and neighbourhood religion? My paper will explore basic mechanisms, but focus on practices in the city of Rome, namely the vici. It will take into account that for Rome in particular, the concept of ‘public’ space as an area for such religious practices is of specific interest. Religion, here, is also employed to constitute the very public character of places. Starting from a general view onto ‘quarters’ and the cult of the Lares, I will offer a new view of the institution and institutionalisation of the vicomagistri and what has been seen as the popularisation of imperial cult in the city of Rome.