(Re-)Invention or Revival? The Emperor Augustus and the Re-Introduction of Rituals

Authors

  • Malka Wijeratne University of Erfurt; University of Graz

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14232/suc.2022.3.177-200

Keywords:

Augustus, Late Republic, Rituals, Augustan politics, Roman religion

Abstract

The Emperor Augustus promised the revival of the Republic and its values, the revival of Rome’s reputation as a great city and most importantly, he promised and ensured the revival of ancestral rituals. Augustus brought more attention to specific rituals, particularly when he performed them and thus set himself apart from earlier politicians. He also brought attention to rituals that, evidently, had not held a significant position within Roman religious traditions. By placing greater focus on the rituals, Augustus was able to paint himself as the savior of these rituals, thereby setting himself apart from his rivals and gaining the support of the people. This paper intends to look at a handful of examples that describe or depict Augustus actively participating in rituals. It will also explore whether Augustus performed the rituals as they were, or if he ‘re-invented’ them for his own personal gain.

Author Biography

Malka Wijeratne, University of Erfurt; University of Graz

is currently in the third year of her PhD which she is conducting at the International Graduate School “Resonant Self-World Relations in Ancient and Modern Socio-Religious Practices” which is a joint project between the University of Erfurt and the University of Graz. Her main area of focus is the age of Augustus, with specific focus on how he employed and manipulated the concept of Mos maiorum and how he projected his own meaning on to the concept through large scale building projects. She has an MA in ‘the Archaeology of the Classical Mediterranean’ and a BA in ‘Archaeology and History’ from the University of Sheffield.

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Published

2023-05-22

How to Cite

Wijeratne, M. (2023). (Re-)Invention or Revival? The Emperor Augustus and the Re-Introduction of Rituals. Sapiens Ubique Civis, 3, 177–200. https://doi.org/10.14232/suc.2022.3.177-200