Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jkksz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T04:24:28.292Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

16 - The place of religion: Rome in the early Empire

from PART IV - ROMAN SOCIETY AND CULTURE UNDER THE JULIO-CLAUDIANS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2008

By
S. R. F. Price
Edited by
Alan K. Bowman ,
Edward Champlin  and
Andrew Lintott
S. R. F. Price
Affiliation:
Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
Alan K. Bowman
Affiliation:
University of Oxford
Edward Champlin
Affiliation:
Princeton University, New Jersey
Andrew Lintott
Affiliation:
University of Oxford
Get access

Summary

Roman religion had always been closely linked with the city of Rome and its boundaries. The restructuring of a number of religious institutions in the Augustan period resulted in changes within Rome, and, beyond it, in the empire. The importance of the religion of place is illustrated by an episode from Livy's History of Rome, written in the early 20s B.C. After the sack of Rome by the Gauls in 390 B.C., there was a proposal that the Romans should migrate to the newly conquered Veii, rather than rebuild Rome. Livy put in the mouth of the Roman general Camillus a striking rejection of this proposal, which emphasized the religious foundation of the city, the necessity for the ancient cults to be located in Rome, and the significance of Rome's sacred boundary, the pomerium (V. 52). Camillus' speech articulated issues of considerable topical importance. There had been a fear that Caesar would move the seat of empire from Rome to the East, a fear that was revived by Antony's dalliance with Cleopatra. Augustus, however, was to promote Rome as the capital of the empire. Camillus' re-establishment of the ancestral rites neatly foreshadows the religious activity of Augustus himself and his argument about the indissoluble ties between Rome and her cults encapsulated the preoccupation of the imperial age with place and the associated issue of boundaries (see below, Section I).

Stress on the religious site of Rome was not an innovation of the Augustan age, but it did increase in this period and it formed the content within which the new political order was placed (see below, Section II).

Keywords

Roman empireimperial ritualsAugustan periodimperial cultRoman mythologyRomeRoman religion
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Ancient History , pp. 812 - 847
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1996

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alföldi, A. Die zwei Lorbeerbäume des Augustus. Bonn, 1973.
Alföldi, A. ‘Insignien und Tracht der römischen Kaiser’, Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts (Römische Abteilung) 50 (1935) (= D 3).Google Scholar
Anderson, J. C. The Historical Topography of the Imperial Fora (Coll. Latomus 182). Brussels, 1984.
Barnes, T. D. ‘Legislation against the Christians’, Journal of Roman Studies 58 (1968).Google Scholar
Barton, I. M. ‘Capitoline temples in Italy and the Provinces (especially Africa)’, Temporini, H., Haase, W. (eds.), Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt. Geschichte und Kultur Roms im Spiegel der neueren Forschung. Berlin and New York, 1972– II, 12.1 (1982).Google Scholar
Bauer, W. Orthodoxy and Heresy in Earliest Christianity. Philadelphia, 1971.
Bayet, J. Les origines de l'Hercule romain (Bibliothèque des écoles françhises d'Athènes et de Rome 132). Rome, 1926.
Bayet, J. ‘Les sacerdoces romains et la pré-divinisation impériale’, Bull. Acad. royale de Belgique, cl. des lettres 41 (1955) (= Croyances et rites dans la Rome antique. Paris, 1971).Google Scholar
Beard, M. Review of McBain 1982 (f 177), Gnomon 55 (1983).
Beard, M. ‘Writing and ritual: a study of diversity and expansion in the Arval Acta’, Proceedings of the British Academy 53 (1985).Google Scholar
Beard, M. ‘A complex of times: no more sheep on Romulus’ birthday’, Papers of the British School at Rome n.s. 33 (1987).Google Scholar
Beard, M. and North, J. Pagan Priests. London, 1990.
Beaujeu, J. La religion romaine à l'apogée de l'empire 1. Paris, 1955.
Becher, I. ‘Tiberüberschwemmungen. Die Interpretation von Prodigien in augusteischer Zeit’, Klio 67 (1985).Google Scholar
Bianchi, A. ‘Disegno storico del culto Capitolino nell'Italia romana e nelle provincie dell'Impero’, Atti Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei (Memorie, Sc. morali, 8th ser., II. 7). Rome, 1949.Google Scholar
Bickerman, E. J. ‘Filius Maiae (Horace, Odes, 1.2.43)’, La parola del passato 16 (1961) (= Religions and Politics in the Hellenistic and Roman Periods. Como, 1985).Google Scholar
Boatwright, M. T. Hadrian and the City of Rome. Princeton, 1987.
Bömer, F. ‘Kybele in Rom’, Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts (Römische Abteilung) 71 (1964).Google Scholar
Bömer, F. ‘Wie ist Augustus mit Vesta verwandt?’, Gymn. 94 (1987).Google Scholar
Boyancé, P. ‘Properce aux fêtes de quartier’, Revue des études anciennes 52 (1950) (= Etudes sur la religion romaine (Collection de l'école française de Rome 11). Rome, 1972).Google Scholar
Boyancé, P. ‘Cybèle aux Mégalésies, Latomus 13 (1954) (= Etudes sur la religion romaine (Collection de l'école française de Rome 11). Rome, 1972).Google Scholar
Brelich, A. ‘Offerte e interdizioni alimentari nel culto della Magna Mater a Roma’, Studi e Materiali di Storia delle Religioni 36 (1965).Google Scholar
Bremmer, J. and Horsfall, N. Roman Myth and Mythography (Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies of the University of London Bullettino dell'Istituto di Diritto Romano Bullettino dell'Istituto di Diritto Romano, Suppl. 52). London, 1987.
Burnett, A. Review of Rainer, A. Das Bild des Augustus auf den frühen Reichsprägungen, Gnomon 55 (1983).
Cannadine, D. and Price, S. (eds.) Rituals of Royalty: Power and Ceremonial in Traditional Societies. Cambridge, 1987.
Catalano, P. ‘Aspetti spaziali del sistema giuridico-religioso romano. Mundus, templum, urbs, ager, Latium, Italia’, Temporini, H., Haase, W. (eds.), Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt. Geschichte und Kultur Roms im Spiegel der neueren Forschung. Berlin and New York, 1972– II 16.1 (1978).Google Scholar
Coarelli, F. Il Foro Boario. Rome, 1988.
Coarelli, F. ‘II Pantheon, l'apoteosi di Augusto e l'apoteosi di Romolo’, Città e architettura nella Roma imperiale (Analecta Romana, Suppl. 10). Odense, 1983.Google Scholar
Colini, A. M. ‘Compitum Acili’, Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica Comunale in Roma 78 (1961–1962).Google Scholar
Degrassi, A. ‘Frammenti di elogi e di una dedica a Romolo del Foro d'Augusto’, Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica Comunale in Roma 67 (1939).Google Scholar
Degrassi, A. ‘Epigraphica II’, Memorie dell'Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Classe de Sc. mor., stor. e filol., 8th ser., 11 (1965) (= Scritti vari di antichitá III. Venice–Trieste, 1967).Google Scholar
Diels, H. Sibyllinische Blätter. Berlin, 1890.
Dilke, O. A. W. ‘Religious mystique in the training of Agrimensores’, Hommages à Henri Le Bonniec (Coll. Latomus 201) 158–62. Brussels, 1988.Google Scholar
D'Ors, A. Epigrafia juridica de la España romana. Madrid, 1953.
Dumézil, G. ‘Augur’, Revue des études latines 35 (1957) (= F 123).Google Scholar
Dumézil, G. Idées romaines. Paris, 1969.
Dumézil, G. Archaic Roman Religion. 2 vols. Chicago, 1970.
Dumézil, G. Fêtes romaines d'été et d'automne. Paris, 1975.
Dunn, J. D. G. Christology in the Making. 2nd edn. London, 1990.
Erkell, H. Augustus, Felicitas, Fortuna. Lateinische Wortstudien. Gothenburg, 1952.
Erkell, H. ‘Ludi saeculares und ludi Latini saeculares’, Eranos 67 (1969).Google Scholar
Fauth, W. ‘Römische Religion im Spiegel der “Fasti” des Ovid’, Temporini, H., Haase, W. (eds.), Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt. Geschichte und Kultur Roms im Spiegel der neueren Forschung. Berlin and New York, 1972– II, 16.1 (1978).Google Scholar
Fayer, C. Il culto della dea Roma. Pescara, 1976.
Fink, R. O., Hoey, A. S. and Snyder, W. F. ‘The Feriale Duranum’, Yale Classical Studies 7 (1940).Google Scholar
Fishwick, D. ‘Genius and Numen’, Harvard Theological Review 62 (1969).Google Scholar
Fishwick, D. ‘The development of provincial ruler worship in the western Roman empire’, Temporini, H., Haase, W. (eds.), Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt. Geschichte und Kultur Roms im Spiegel der neueren Forschung. Berlin and New York, 1972– II, 16.2 (1978).Google Scholar
Fishwick, D. The Imperial Cult in the Latin West I (Etudes préliminaires aux religions orientates dans l'empire romain 108). Leiden, 1987.
Frend, W. H. C. The Rise of Christianity. London, 1984.
Gabba, E. ‘La “Storia di Roma arcaica" di Dionigi d' Alicarnasso’, Temporini, H., Haase, W. (eds.), Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt. Geschichte und Kultur Roms im Spiegel der neueren Forschung. Berlin and New York, 1972– II, 30.1 (1982).Google Scholar
Gagé, J. ‘Romulus-Augustus’, Mélanges d'archéologie et d'histoire de l'école française de Rome 47 (1930).Google Scholar
Gagé, J. ‘Les sacerdoces d'Auguste et ses réformes religieuses’, Mélanges d'archéologie et d'histoire de l'école française de Rome 48 (1931).Google Scholar
Gagé, J. ‘Recherches sur les jeux séculaires II. Ce que nous apprennent les nouveaux fragments épigraphiques’, Revue des études latines 11 (1933) (=Recherches sur les Jeux Séculaires. Paris, 1934).Google Scholar
Gagé, J. ‘Recherches sur les jeux séculaires III. Jeux séculaires et jubilés de la fondation de Rome’, Revue des études latines, 11 (1933) (=Recherches sur les Jeux Séculaires. Paris, 1934).Google Scholar
Gagé, J. ‘Actiaca’, Mélanges d'archéologie et d'histoire de l'école française de Rome 53 (1936).Google Scholar
Gagé, J. ‘Le “Templum Urbis” et les origines de l'idée de “Renovatio”’, Mélanges F. Cumont 1. Brussels, 1936.Google Scholar
Gagé, J. Apollon romain. Essai sur le culte d'Apollon et le développement du ‘ritus Graecus’ à Rome des origines à Auguste. Paris, 1955.
Galsterer, H. Untersuchungen zum römischen Städtewesen auf der Iberischen Halbinsel (Madrider Forschungen 8). Berlin, 1971.
Grant, F. C. Hellenistic Religions. New York, 1953.
Grant, F. C. Ancient Roman Religion. New York, 1957.
Grant, M. Roman Myths. Harmondsworth, 1973.
Guarducci, M. ‘Enea e Vesta’, Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts (Römische Abteilung) 78 (1971) (=Scritti scelti sulla religione greca a romana e sul cristianesimo. Leiden, 1983).Google Scholar
Harden, D. B. (ed.) Glass of the Caesars. Milan, 1987.
Henzen, W. Acta fratrum Arvalium quae supersunt. Berlin, 1874.
Holland, L. A. ‘The shrine of the hares Compitales’, Transactions of the American Philological Association 68 (1937).Google Scholar
Hommel, P. Studien zu den römischen Figurengiebeln der Kaiserzeit. Berlin, 1954.
Jal, P. ‘Les dieux et les guerres civiles dans la Rome de la fin de la République’, Revue des études latines 40 (1962).Google Scholar
Kennedy, D. L. ‘Milliary cohorts: the evidence of Josephus Bonner Jahrbücher 4.2 (67) and of epigraphy’, Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik 50 (1983).Google Scholar
Kienast, D. Augustus. Prinzeps und Monarch. Darmstadt, 1982.
Koch, C. Der römische Juppiter. Frankfurt, 1937).
Koch, C. ‘Der altrömische Staatskult im Spiegel augusteischer und spätrepublikanischer Apologetik’, in Convivium. Festschrift Konrat Ziegler. Stuttgart, 1954 (=Religio. Studien zu Kult und Glauben der Römer. Nuremberg, 1960).Google Scholar
Koeppel, G. M. ‘Die historischen Reliefs der römischen Kaiserzeit II, Bonner Jahrbücher 184 (1984).Google Scholar
Koeppel, G. ‘Die historischen Reliefs der Römischen Kaiserzeit’, B] 183 (1983).Google Scholar
Rocca, E. La riva a mezzaluna. Culti, agoni, monumenti funerari presso il Tevere nel Campo Marzio occident ale. Rome, 1984.
Labrousse, M. ‘Le pomerium de la Rome impériale’, Mélanges d'archéologie et d'histoire de l'école française de Rome 54 (1937).Google Scholar
Lambrechts, P. ‘Cybèle, divinité étrangère ou nationale?’, Société royale belge d' anthropologic et de préhistoire 62 (1951).Google Scholar
Lambrechts, P. ‘Les fêtes “phrygiennes” de Cybèle et d'Attis’, Bulletin de l'Institut historique belge de Rome 27 (1952).Google Scholar
Latte, K. ‘Über eine Eigentümlichkeit der italischen Gottesvorstellung’, Archiv für Religionswissenschaft 24 (1926/7) (= Kleine Schriften. Munich, 1968).Google Scholar
Latte, K. Römische Religionsgeschichte. Munich, 1960.
Gall, J. ‘Les Romains et l'orientation solaire’, Mélanges d'archéologie et d'histoire de l'école française de Rome 87 (1975).Google Scholar
Levi, M. A. ‘Il ciclo religioso augusteo e il superamento delle guerre civili’, Contributi dell'Istituto di Storia Antica dell'Università del Sacro Cuore, Milano 10 (1984).Google Scholar
Lewis, M. W. H. The Official Priests of Rome under the Julio-Claudians (Papers and Monographs of the Amer. Acad. Rome 16). Rome, 1955.
Liebeschuetz, J. H. W. G. Continuity and Change in Roman Religion. Oxford, 1979.
Liebeschuetz, J. H. W. G. ‘The religious position of Livy's History’, Journal of Roman Studies 57 (1967).Google Scholar
Lugli, G. Fontes ad Topographiam veteris urbis Romae pertinentes Vol. I–VII. Rome, 1952; Vols, VIII, XIX–XX. Rome, 1962.
Mackie, N. Local Administration in Woman Spain a.d. 14–212 (British Archaeological Reports International Series 172). Oxford, 1983.
MacMullen, R. Paganism in the Roman Empire. New Haven–London, 1981.
Magdelain, A. Recherches sur l' Imperium’, la loi curiate et les auspices d'investiture. Paris, 1968.
Magdelain, A. ‘L'inauguration de l'urbs et l'imperium’, Mélanges d'archéologie et d'histoire de l'école française de Rome 89 (1977).Google Scholar
Merkelbach, R. ‘Aeneas in Cumae’, Museum Helveticum 18 (1961).Google Scholar
Meslin, M. L'homme romain, des origines au i” siècle de notre ère. Essai d'anthropologie. Paris, 1978.
Momigliano, A. D. Review of Sherwin-White, A. N. The Roman Citizenship (Oxford, 1939), Journal of Roman Studies 31 (1941).
Momigliano, A. D. Terzo contributo alla storia degli studi classici e del mondo antico (Storia e Letteratura 108/9). Rome, 1966.
Moretti, L. ‘Frammenti vecchi e nuovi del Commentario dei Ludi secolari’, Rendiconti della Pontificia Accademia Romano di Archeologia (1982–1984).Google Scholar
Nash, E. Pictorial Dictionary of Ancient Rome. 2nd edn. London, 1968.
Nilsson, M. P. ‘Saeculares ludi’, Pauly, A. F. et al., Real-Encyclopädie der klassischen Altertumswissenschaft. Stuttgart 1894– 1 A (1920).Google Scholar
Nisbet, R. G. M. and Hubbard, M. Horace, Odes Book I. Oxford, 1970; Book II. Oxford, 1978.
Nock, A. D. ‘Religious developments from the close of the Republic to the reign of Nero’, The Cambridge Ancient History x1. Cambridge, 1934.Google Scholar
Nock, A. D. ‘The Roman army and the Roman religious year’, Harvard Theological Review 45 (1952) (=Essays on Religion and the Ancient World. 2 vols. Oxford, 1972).Google Scholar
Panciera, S. ‘Tra epigrafia e topografia - I’, Archaeologia Classica 22 (1970).Google Scholar
Panciera, S. ‘Nuovi luoghi di culto a Roma dalle testimonianze epigrafiche’, ArchLaz 3 (1980).Google Scholar
Panciera, S. ‘Ancora tra epigrafia e topografia’, L'urbs (1987).Google Scholar
Pighi, J. B. De ludis saecularibus …. libri sex. 2nd edn. Amsterdam, 1965.
Price, S. R. F. Rituals and Power: the Roman Imperial Cult in Asia Minor. Cambridge, 1984.
Price, S. R. F. ‘The City of Rome’, in Beard, M., North, J. and Price, S. (eds.) Religions of Rome 1. Cambridge, 1996.Google Scholar
Purcell, N. ‘The apparitores: a study in social mobility’, Proceedings of the British Academy 51 (1983).Google Scholar
Rohde, G. Die Kultsatzungen der römischen Pontifices. Religions geschichtliche Versuche und Vorarbeiten 25 (Berlin, 1936).
Rose, H. J. Mnemosyne 4th ser. 3 (1950).
Ryberg, I. S. Rites of the State Religion in Roman Art (Memoirs of the American Academy in Rome 22). Rome, 1955.
Rykwert, J. The Idea of a Town. The Anthropology of Urban Form in Rome, Italy and the Ancient World. Princeton, 1976.
Sabbatucci, D. ‘Mito e demitizzazione nell'antica Roma’, Studi e Materiali di Storia delle Religioni 41 (=Religione e civiltà 1 (1970–1972)).Google Scholar
Santero, J. M. ‘The “Cultores Augusti” and the first worship of the Roman emperor’, Athenaeum 61 (1983).Google Scholar
Saulnier, C. ‘Le rôle des prêtres fétiaux et l'application du “ius fetiale” à Rome’, Revue historique de droit français et étranger 58 (1980).Google Scholar
Saulnier, C. ‘Laurens Lavinas. Quelques remarques à propos d'un sacerdoce équestre à Rome’, Latomus 43 (1984).Google Scholar
Scheid, J. Les frères Arvales. Recrutement et origine sociale sous les empereurs julio-claudiens. Paris, 1975.
Scheid, J. ‘Les prêtres offciels sous les empereurs julio-claudiens’, Temporini, H., Haase, W. (eds.), Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt. Geschichte und Kultur Roms im Spiegel der neueren Forschung. Berlin and New York, 1972– II, 16.1 (1978).Google Scholar
Scheid, J. Religion et piété à Rome. Paris, 1985.
Schilling, R. ‘Ovide interprète de la religion romaine’, Revue des études latines 46 (1969). (=Rites, cultes, dieux de Rome. Paris, 1979).Google Scholar
Schippman, K. Die iranischen Feuerheiligtümer. Berlin, 1971.
Scholz, U. W. Studien zum altitalischen und altrömischen Marskult und Marsmythos. Heidelberg, 1970.
Schultze, C. ‘Dionysius of Halicarnassos and his audience’, in Moxon, I. S., Smart, J. D. and Woodman, A. J. (eds.) Past Perspectives. Cambridge, 1986.Google Scholar
Schulz, F. History of"Roman Legal Science. Oxford, 1946.
Schumacher, L. ‘Die vier höhen römischen Priesterkollegien unter den Flaviern, den Antoninen und den Severern (69–235 n. Chr.), Temporini, H., Haase, W. (eds.), Aufstieg und Niedergang der römischen Welt. Geschichte und Kultur Roms im Spiegel der neueren Forschung. Berlin and New York, 1972– II, 16.1 (1978).Google Scholar
Scott, K. ‘The identification of Augustus with Romulus-Quirinus’, Transactions of the American Philological Association 56 (1925).Google Scholar
Scullard, H. H. Festivals and Ceremonies of the Roman Republic. London, 1981.
Syme, R. ‘The pomerium in the Historia Augusta’, Bonner Historia Augusta Congress 1975–6 (1978) (=Historia Augusta Papers. Oxford, 1983).Google Scholar
Syme, R. History in Ovid. Oxford, 1978.
Tamassia, A. M. ‘Iscrizioni del Compitum Acili’, Bullettino della Commissione Archeologica Comunale in Roma 78 (1961–1962).Google Scholar
Torelli, M. Elogia Tarquiniensia. Florence, 1975.
Tranoy, A. La Galice romaine. Recherches sur le nord-ouest de la péninsule ibérique dam l'antiquité. Paris, 1981.
Doren, M. ‘L'évolution des mystères phrygiens à Rome’, L'Antiquité classique 22 (1953).Google Scholar
Vermes, G. Jesus the Jew. London, 1976.
Versnel, H. S. ‘Die neue Inschrift von Satricum in historischer Sicht’, Gymn. 89 (1982).Google Scholar
Wagenvoort, H. ‘The crime of fratricide (Horace Epode 7, 18)’, in Wagenvoort, H. (ed.) Studies in Roman Literature, Culture and Religion. Leiden, 1956.Google Scholar
Warde Fowler, W. The Religious Experience of the Roman People. London, 1911.
Watson, F. Paul, Judaism and the Gentiles. Cambridge, 1986.
Weinstock, S. Diuus Iulius. Oxford, 1971.
Whatmough, J. ‘The calendar in ancient Italy outside Rome’, Harvard Studies in Classical Philology 42 (1931).Google Scholar
Wiedemann, T. ‘The Fetiales: a reconsideration’, Classical Quarterly 36 (1986).Google Scholar
Winter, J. G. ‘The myth of Hercules at Rome’, in Sanders, H. A. (ed.) Roman History and Mythology. London, 1910.Google Scholar
Wissowa, G. Religion und Kultus der Römer. 2nd edn. Munich, 1912; repr. 1971.
Zanker, P. Forum Augustum. Das Bildprogramm. Tübingen, n.d. [C. 1968].

Save book to Kindle

To save this book to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about saving to your Kindle.

Note you can select to save to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be saved to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.

Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.

Available formats
×

Save book to Dropbox

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Dropbox.

Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

Available formats
×