Imperial Cult

Question 1

After Julius Caesar’s death, a comet was seen for 7 days and thought to be his apotheosis - Augustus becomes ‘divi filius’

Answer 1

Pliny

Question 2

Coins minted with JCs star on one side and Augustus on the other

Answer 2

Physical Evidence

Question 3

Temple of Divi Julius built by Augustus in 42BC

Answer 3

Physical Evidence

Question 4

Temple of divi augustus built in france after death- commissioned by tiberius

Answer 4

Physical Evidence

Question 5

Augustus always had a role in priesthood’s

Answer 5

Res Gestae

Question 6

Poems and hymns praised Augustus in his life

Answer 6

Ovid, Virgil, Horace

Question 7

decrees that Augustus’ name should be included in hymns, he should wear triumphal crown at all festivals & be honoured with sacrifices

Answer 7

Cassius Dio

Question 8

Sacred precinct built to Aug in Nicaea (Turkey) - couldn’t be done in the city

Answer 8

Cassius Dio

Question 9

Maison Careé in france dedicated to Augustus’ adopted sons Gaius&Lucius

Answer 9

Physical Evidence

Question 10

Which source writes about Tiberius’ imperial cult?

• modest
• emphasised mortality
• temple built after death
• 11 cities competed to build temple

Answer 10

Tacitus

Question 11

Gaius insisted on being honoured, claimed to be brother of jupiter, built a bridge between provinces and rode over it on a chariot, claiming to be ruler of the sea

Answer 11

Josephus

Question 12

Gaius dressed as gods, established choruses to sing him hymns

Answer 12

Philo

Question 13

Gaius had an incestuous relationship with his sisters, called Drusilla his wife & made her his heir

Answer 13

Suetonius

Question 14

When Drusilla died, Gaius deified her and a senator was rewarded 1million sesterces for claiming to see her apoteosis, others were punished for failing to mourn her

Answer 14

Cassius Dio

Question 15

Gaius had life sized statue built, extended palace to forum, had 2 temples in rome, exchanged god’s heads on statues with his own, sat between statues expecting to be worshipped

Answer 15

Suetonius & Cassius Dio

Question 16

Inscription on building at Cyzicus praises Gaius

Answer 16

Physical Evidence

Question 17

Gaius wore dress of women, gods, triumphing general, breastplate of alexander the great

Answer 17

Suetonius

Question 18

Bronze head of Claudius found in Britain

Answer 18

Physical Evidence

Question 19

Claudius wanted to be a god, had a temple in britain, was worshipped by barbarians

Answer 19

Seneca

Question 20

Temple dedicated to Claudius in Colchester

Answer 20

Tacitus

Question 21

Deified at death, funeral was similar to Augustus’

Answer 21

Tacitus

Question 22

Deification was annulled by Nero but re-instated by Vespasian

Answer 22

Suetonius

Question 23

Nero had a statue of his birth father built, rejected one of himself in silver&gold, rejected senates proposal to change start of year to his birth month (December)

Answer 23

Tacitus

Question 24

Nero vetoed notion to build temple to him out of public funds and worship him as he believed men should only be worshipped after death

Answer 24

Tacitus

Question 25

Nero had daughter Augusta with Poppea - when she died he deified her and had temple built

Answer 25

Tacitus

Question 26

Lex de imperio Vespasiani put Vespasian on par with deified emperors and gave him total power - presented in bronze tablets

Answer 26

Physical Evidence

Question 27

Vespasian saw a comet on his death bed and declared ‘woe is me. i think i am turning into a god’

Answer 27

Suetonius

Question 28

Domitian referred to as god, only allowed statues of himself in silver and gold, erected arches adorned with chariots and triumphal gifts - someone wrote ‘enough’ on one

Answer 28

Suetonius