Sol Invictus

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/sol-invictus

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the last known reference?An inscription dating to 387 AD, indicating continued worship
2. Why did Emperor Aurelian make Sol Invictus the main god?He wanted to unite the empire and strengthen his authority during a time of political and social upheaval.
3. How did Sol Invictus look on Roman coins?He was shown wearing a shining crown and riding a four‑horse chariot, symbolizing the emperor’s power.

Syncretism: The merging or blending of different religious beliefs, cultures, or schools of thought.
Imperial Propaganda: Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote a political cause or point of view.
Religious Transition: The process by which one dominant religion gradually replaces another within a society or region.