Religious Reforms
Augustus as a Priest
Augustus multiplied the number of religious positions available and he was also a member of a great many priesthoods himself ,as mentioned in the Res Gestae. Augustus is depicted on the Ara Pacis in priestly garb with a hood, showing him to be deeply pious. With the death of Lepidus in 12 BC, Augustus was able to ascend to the position of the Pontifex Maximus, the head of religion in Rome. He also distributed many priesthoods to people in important positions for example
of the 700 Senators who followed him to Actium, 170 became priests. However, many of the priesthoods were only available to those of high social standing. At a lower level, there were local priesthoods available in the 265 'vici'.
of the 700 Senators who followed him to Actium, 170 became priests. However, many of the priesthoods were only available to those of high social standing. At a lower level, there were local priesthoods available in the 265 'vici'.
Foreign Influences
As the Roman Empire spread it came into contact with other ancient civilisations, such as Egypt and Parthia, who were used to linking the divine and their rulers. Common though this was, it was controversial in places such as Greece where it was seen as an oriental perversion. Many Romans believed that there had been a decline in religious values; many believed this had been caused/or was caused by the civil wars whilst others believed it was due to the 'mixing' of religions as Rome expanded and cultures integrated.
Festivals
There had been a festival called the Ludi Tarentini, the festival took place over three nights and was only held every one hundred years. Augustus decided to 'spice it up' by renaming it the Secular Games in 17 BC and including larger flames for example. By replacing the celebration of death with celebrations of the fates, fertility and the future, Augustus was successfully able to promote his own moral reforms at the same time as 'spicing it up'. The ceremony then finished with twenty seven boys and girls singing an ode, specifically written in praise of Augustus.
The Calendar
Just as his Julius Caesar had before him, Augustus had a month named after himself. He then formalised the calendar by writing it in stone and placing it in prominent places. One of the reasons for this was that Augustus was associating himself more with Roman religion and history. For example, his renaming as Augustus was celebrated on the 16th of January and the dedication of the Ara Pacis on the 30th of January.
Suetonius"He restored sacred edifices which had gone to ruin through lapse of time or had been destroyed by fire, and adorned both these and the other temples with most lavish gifts."
"After he finally had assumed the office of Pontifex Maximus on the death of Lepidus (for he could not make up his mind to deprive him of the honour while he lived) he collected whatever prophetic writings of Greek or Latin origin and burned more than two thousand of them, retaining only the Sibylline books and making a choice even among those; and he deposited them in two gilded cases under the pedestal of the Palatine Apollo." "Inasmuch as the calendar, he restored it to its former system; he called the month Sextilis by his own surname, rather than his birth-month September, because in the former he had won his first consulship and his most brilliant victories." "He increased the number and importance of the priests, and also their allowances and privileges, in particular those of the Vestal virgins." "He also revived some of the ancient rites which had gradually fallen into disuse, such as the augury of Safety, the ceremonies of the Lupercalia, the Secular Games. At the Secular Games he wouldn't allow young people of either sex to attend any entertainment by night except in company with some adult relative." |
Res Gestae Divi Augusti“I am Ponitfex Maximus and augur.”
“I declined Ponitifex Maximus when Lepidus was still alive, after his death [12BC] I received priesthood and concourse poured into Italy." “Annual sacrifices to be made by magistrates and Vestal Virgins at Ara Pacis from 13BC.” "Restored 82 temples." States that 170 senators appointed as priests. |