Vasile Haheu, Dumitru Bratco. Similarities in the Thracian-Dacian beliefs and Christianity. The role of the wine

At the beginning of the new era, in the region are found many religions, the major were pagan beliefs (local and foreign) and Christianity. These religions coexist a long period together, and certain elements of local pagan beliefs are preserved in Christian religion and became its own later on. The situation was possible due to the fact that it was a desire of the locals but also a “democratic politics” of implementing the new religion promoted by its leaders, who didn’t insist on a strict enforcement of all dogmas, but the main ones only. Certain similarities present in both religions (one main God, temples-churches, altars, offerings, wine as a symbol of the afterlife etc.) facilitated the adoption of the new Christian religion. More similarities were found in funeral rituals and practices of remembrance of the dead, as part of religious beliefs. Finally, for both religions one of the basics that unite them is the belief in immortality, the existence of “the afterlife” and the use of wine in rituals related to them.

Keywords: Geto-Dacian beliefs, Christian religion, funeral rite, traditions and celebrations, wine and religious beliefs.

Revista Arheologică, serie nouă, vol. XI, nr. 1-2, 2015, p. 101-107