On March 6th, 12 BC, the Senate conferred on Augustus perhaps his most significant religious office and font of spiritual authority - that of Pontifex Maximus, or the High Priest of the College of Pontiffs. This consolidated his rule over both the temporal and spiritual dimensions of Roman life and society.
The Pontifex Maximus oversaw the state religious cults, rituals, and sacrifices of Rome. As the living embodiment of the "pax deorum" (peace of the gods), he held ultimate authority over sacred Roman traditions. This investiture further blurred the lines between the person of Augustus and the apparatus of the state itself.
With this appointment, Augustus could present himself as the conduit between the gods and Rome, the pre-eminent living manifestation of the "pietas" (piety and honor) that Romans were so famed for. It was a masterstroke that fused his cult of personality with state religion. The Romans wholeheartedly embraced this idea of the emperor representing the divine on Earth, a tradition that would hold strong for centuries after Augustus's reign.
Books that will provide greater clarification on this historical fact:
* Augustus to Nero (Routledge Revivals): A Sourcebook on Roman History, 31 BC - AD 68 by David Braund
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* Augustus: A Captivating Guide to the First Emperor of Rome and How He Ruled the Empire by Captivating History
Discusses the innovations and policies of Augustus, including his role in establishing the Pax Romana
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* Augustus: The Life of Rome's First Emperor by Anthony Everitt
A detailed biography that explores the life and achievements of Rome's first emperor
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* Ten Caesars: Roman Emperors from Augustus to Constantine by Barry Strauss
Provides a historical framework of Augustus's rule as the first emperor in a study of ten Roman emperors
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* Augustus (Roman Imperial Biographies) by Pat Southern
Offers a unique presentation of Augustus the man, tracing his life, works, and times
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Disclosure: The links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
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