How Did Roman Emperors Become Gods? Various Concepts of Imperial Apotheosis
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2009 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | Anodos: Studies of the Ancient World 6-7/2006-2007 |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Philosophy and religion |
| Keywords | Roman imperial cult; deification; apotheosis; consecration; double funeral |
| Description | This article surveys various concepts of imperial deification and its historical evolution. Three stages are identified. In the first stage, an eyewitness of an apotheosis is attested and a senatorial decree awarding divine honours is issued after a funeral. In the second stage, a senatorial decree is routinely issued before a funeral and an apotheosis is performed symbolically, by the release of an eagle from a funeral pyre. In the third stage, Roman emperors are often buried in a double funeral, although the exact motives of this practice are still disputed. |