Imperial Cult

As political power in Rome became centered on the emperor and his family, a system

of honors and titles developed as one way to negotiate this new power dynamic.

Classified under the collective heading ‘imperial cult’, this system of worship comprises

religious rituals as well as political, economic, and social aspects. This article surveys the range of ancient literary sources...

As political power in Rome became centered on the emperor and his family, a system

of honors and titles developed as one way to negotiate this new power dynamic.

Classified under the collective heading ‘imperial cult’, this system of worship comprises

religious rituals as well as political, economic, and social aspects. This article surveys the range of ancient literary sources and modern scholarly debates on how individuals became gods in the Roman world. The case studies illustrate how cult practices, temples, and priesthoods were established, highlighting the careful negotiation required between the emperor, imperial family, Senate, and populace in order to make mortals into gods.