Historical transformation of roman religion in the context of the rise of Christianity: new tendencies in foreign scholarship of religion. A review of: Mary Beard, John North, Simon Price. Religions of Rome. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998. Volume 1: A History. 476 P. Volume 2: A Sourcebook. 430 p

The article is a review of a two-volume monograph by Mary Beard, John North and Simon Price, “Te Religions of Rome”, which provides a detailed analysis of the historical evolution of Roman pagan religion from the period of archaism to the era of the triumph of Christianity. New trends in contemporary foreign religious studies are considered, connected with the comprehension of the realities of the political and cultural life of ancient Rome. Particular atention is paid to the cardinal changes in Rome as a result of the reforms of Emperor Constantine, first of all - the change in the status of pagan religion, which from the state religion of Rome turns into a private mater of citizens. Te issue of the boundaries between Christianity and paganism in the Roman people's consciousness and the fate of the Roman cultural heritage in the realities of the new Christian statehood is touched upon. Te article notes that the questions posed by the authors “Te Religions of Rome” actualize some of the formulations of the concept of the ancient religion by the outstanding Russian historian and culturologist F. Zelinsky, who emphasized those moments in the development of the Roman pagan religion that brought it closer to Christianity, preparing the Roman consciousness for the acceptance of Christ