Impiety is a lack of proper concern for the obligations owed to cult in its proper sense. Impiety was a main pagan objection to Christianity, for unlike other initiates into mystery religions, Christians refused to cast a pinch of incense before the images of the gods, among whom were the protective deified Emperors. Impiety was a civic concern, for it could bring down upon the whole res publica the wrath of the tutelary gods who protected the polis.

Socrates and Anaxagoras were killed for impiety, and Aristotle was also charged after the death of Alexander the Great, but he refused to let the Athenians commit a third sin against philosophy, and left the city.

See also

• Blasphemy
• Profanity
• Hubris