Book contents
- The Roman Emperor and His Court c. 30 BC–c. AD 300
- The Roman Emperor and His Court c. 30 BC–c. AD 300
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Preface and Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations and Conventions
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Hellenistic Influences on Roman Court Culture
- 3 Republican Precursors
- 4 The Imperial Family
- 5 The Roman Aristocracy at Court
- 6 Administration, Finances, and the Court
- 7 Foreign Royals at the Imperial Court
- 8 Domestic Servants in the Imperial Court
- 9 The Imperial Palaces on the Palatine Hill: Architecture as a Reflection of Social Practices and Imperial Authority
- 10 Imperial Villas
- 11 Imperial Journeys
- 12 The Court and Ceremonial
- 13 Dining and Hunting as Courtly Activities in the Roman Empire
- 14 Sexuality and the Court
- 15 Violence and Security at Court
- 16 Religion and Divination at Court
- 17 Performance and Performers at Court
- 18 Literary Patronage and the Roman Imperial Court from Augustus to the Severan Dynasty
- 19 Dress, Adornment, and Self-Presentation
- 20 Epilogue: Continuity and Change at the Roman Imperial Court
- Bibliography
- Index of Personal Names
- General Index
16 - Religion and Divination at Court
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 September 2022
- The Roman Emperor and His Court c. 30 BC–c. AD 300
- The Roman Emperor and His Court c. 30 BC–c. AD 300
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Preface and Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations and Conventions
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Hellenistic Influences on Roman Court Culture
- 3 Republican Precursors
- 4 The Imperial Family
- 5 The Roman Aristocracy at Court
- 6 Administration, Finances, and the Court
- 7 Foreign Royals at the Imperial Court
- 8 Domestic Servants in the Imperial Court
- 9 The Imperial Palaces on the Palatine Hill: Architecture as a Reflection of Social Practices and Imperial Authority
- 10 Imperial Villas
- 11 Imperial Journeys
- 12 The Court and Ceremonial
- 13 Dining and Hunting as Courtly Activities in the Roman Empire
- 14 Sexuality and the Court
- 15 Violence and Security at Court
- 16 Religion and Divination at Court
- 17 Performance and Performers at Court
- 18 Literary Patronage and the Roman Imperial Court from Augustus to the Severan Dynasty
- 19 Dress, Adornment, and Self-Presentation
- 20 Epilogue: Continuity and Change at the Roman Imperial Court
- Bibliography
- Index of Personal Names
- General Index
Summary
In monarchical courts, religious rituals and celebrations have often been crucial moments bringing courtiers into contact with the monarch and society at large. There was no specific ‘court religion’ at the Roman court; rather, the household religious practices of emperors and resident members of his court were not differentiated from those in aristocratic households, and individual emperors and courtiers could choose their cult practices. However, certain rituals and festivals within the imperial house were still court occasions, especially the rites connected with the toga virilis ceremony and the Saturnalia. Furthermore, religious rituals in the civic spaces of Rome brought the emperor and members of his court into contact with the populace at large. Roman ideas about the divine realm included ideas about divination. As a result, astrologers and other individuals claiming expertise in divination at times had great power and influence at court.
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- The Roman Emperor and his Court c. 30 BC–c. AD 300 , pp. 395 - 418Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2022