Excessive devotion and enthusiasm in religious observance were superstitio, in the sense of "doing or believing more than was necessary", to which women and foreigners were considered particularly prone. The boundaries between religio and superstitio are perhaps indefinite. The famous tirade of Lucretius, the Epicurean rationalist, against what is usually translated as "superstition" was in fact aimed at excessive religio. Roman religion was based on knowledge rather than faith, but superstitio was viewed as an "inappropriate desire for knowledge"; in effect, an abuse of religio. COUNT 5
QSN1 What was excessive religious fervor in Rome's religions? ANS1 superstitio QSN2 What was excessive religio equated with in Rome? ANS2 superstition QSN3 What was the basis of Roman religion? ANS3 knowledge QSN4 Doing what type of actions were considered to be wrong in Rome? ANS4 more than was necessary QSN5 What type of knowledge seeking was superstitio considered to be? ANS5 inappropriate