Imperial Cult of Rome

The Imperial cult of ancient Rome identified emperors and some members of their families with the divinely sanctioned authority of the Roman State.

This idea is the same concept of the divine right of kings which gave men the right to literally decide good and evil as ruling judges and usurp the right of the individual members of society to decide fact and law.

Octavius became Augustus. His reforms transformed Rome's Republican system of government to a de facto monarchy. He maintained traditional Roman practices and Republican values in name only.

As princeps or the president of Rome and commander in chief of the army and navy (later known as Emperor) he was expected to balance the interests of the Roman military, the Senate and people maintaining peace, security and prosperity throughout an ethnically diverse empire of states.

In 30 BC, libation-offerings to the genius of Augustus became a duty at public banquets or festivals which were a part of the Roman welfare system. From 12 BC, state oaths were sworn by the genius of the living emperor.

These human gods and their temples had a function in society and their governments that is commonly misunderstood because if we did it might change the world of religion and our understanding of the Kingdom of God.

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Imperial Cult of Rome

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