---
title: Roman Imperial Cult
author: Rebecca Denova
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Imperial_Cult/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2024-11-05
---

# Roman Imperial Cult

_Authored by [Rebecca Denova](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/rdenova/)_

The [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) imperial cult was the practice of venerating Roman emperors and their families as having divine attributes, honoring their contributions to the spread of [Roman religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Religion/) and [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/). It was instituted by the first [Roman emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/) (r. 27 BCE to 14 CE) in his reforms and transformation of the [Roman Republic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Republic/) to the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/).

### Divine Kingship & Hero Cults

Ancient [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) had foundation myths, claiming that a [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) or goddess or the son of a god or goddess provided [law](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/law/) codes that dictated proper religious rituals, social behavior, and gender roles. Passed down through the generations, the will of the gods was carried out by the governing authorities. Thus, the concept of divine kingship validated their rule.

[Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/) also had hero cults. The heroes of [Greek mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/) were the offspring of a god or goddess or the result of sexual intercourse between humans and the divine. A prime example was [Herakles](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/)/[Hercules](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/). Heroes were rewarded for their great deeds by being among the gods after [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/), or at least in the higher realms of the Elysian Fields in [Hades](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hades/). The concept was described as *apotheosis* ("deification"); the hero would reach the levels of the divine and would be worthy of worship and honor. There were dozens of temples and shrines for heroes.

The patron/client system (how things got done) provided the network for relationships for the common good, including relationships between humans and the divine. The word "patron" came from the Latin "defender". The upper classes (aristocrats) offered benefits to the lower-class poor, distributing food during religious festivals. The lower classes reciprocated through their labor, agricultural products, and trades. The tombs of the heroes became the object of pilgrimage, where people petitioned them as patron gods, mediators between the Olympians and the community for special benefits and protection.

### Ancient Rome

Rome absorbed major elements of [Greek culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Greek_Culture/). Hercules was also a hero who helped found the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Rome, but Roman foundation myths were more concerned with honoring the men of the founding families who became the first kings of Rome. [Romulus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Romulus_and_Remus/) and King Numa were credited with establishing the elements of Roman [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/) and culture and both were deified after their death.

The closest concept of a hero cult in Rome was the ritual of the [Roman triumph](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Triumph/). A serving magistrate who waged a successful [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) against an enemy and personally saved a unit of his legions was acclaimed *imperator* ("commander") in the field. The [Roman Senate](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Senate/) then conferred the right of a [triumph](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Triumph/), a parade in Rome where the individual represented the god [Jupiter](https://www.worldhistory.org/jupiter/) for a day.

[ ![Triumph of Titus](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/5041.jpg?v=1763789705) Triumph of Titus Jean-Guillaume Moitte (Artist) (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5041/triumph-of-titus/ "Triumph of Titus")Rome promoted the concept of genius in humans, an element of the divine nature manifest through *dignitas*, a person's social standing, reputation, and moral worth. Personified in the concept of the *paterfamilias*, Roman men performed the household religious rituals and served as priests, augurs, and pontiffs in Roman religion. All elected magistrates of the [Roman government](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Government/) were empowered with *imperium*, the religious authority to uphold and carry out the dictates of the gods. They were not worshipped after their death but became role models for subsequent generations.

### From Monarchy to Republic

Several of the later kings were [Etruscan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Etruscan_Civilization/) invaders (an ancient Italic people) but were denounced as tyrants. Rome eliminated kings with the formation of the Roman Republic, c. 508 BCE. The highest rank was the *[consul](https://www.worldhistory.org/Consul/)*, two of them ruling through the Senate. Rome expanded its rule throughout [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/) and countries bordering the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/), and, beginning with some famous generals, hero cults began to take hold. After [Scipio Africanus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Scipio_Africanus/) had defeated [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) in the [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/) (218-201 BCE), people made pilgrimages to his [grave](https://www.worldhistory.org/burial/) and then others, leaving mementos and memorializing their virtues and great deeds in stories.

In the 1st century BCE, several Germanic tribes invaded [Gaul](https://www.worldhistory.org/gaul/) and northern Italy, the king of Pontus, [Mithridates VI](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mithridates_VI/) (r. 120-63 BCE), conquered the Roman province of Asia, and the allied cities in Italy rebelled over their citizen status in the [Social War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Social_War/), 91-87 BCE. Some men were elevated as "first citizens" to lead the republic out of these crises. After the Social War, Lucius Cornelius [Sulla](https://www.worldhistory.org/sulla/) (138-78 BCE) led an army into Rome and became *dictator*. A *dictator* could confer martial law and was not responsible for subsequent lawsuits during his rule. He reformed the government in favor of the Senate and removed the power of veto in the Plebian Assembly. He proscribed his enemies in a "[reign of terror](https://www.worldhistory.org/Reign_of_Terror/)," through mass executions. The period after his death is notable for senatorial and Plebian factions either upholding or trying to undo Sulla's constitution.

[ ![Sulla](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/2521.jpg?v=1775623395) Sulla Carole Raddato (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2521/sulla/ "Sulla")### [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/)

[Julius](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Julius/) [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/) (100-44 BCE), Sulla's nephew by marriage, created the [First Triumvirate](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Triumvirate/) with the general [Pompey](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompey/) ([Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus](https://www.worldhistory.org/pompey/)) and [Marcus Licinius Crassus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Licinius_Crassus/). [Crassus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Licinius_Crassus/) died fighting against the [Parthian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Parthia_(Empire)/) at the [Battle of Carrhae, 53 BCE](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1406/battle-of-carrhae-53-bce/). In a subsequent civil war, Caesar defeated Pompey at the [Battle of Pharsalus](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/697/the-battle-of-pharsalus/) in 48 BCE. While in the East, he permitted some cities to erect statues of himself, with the epithet "divine Julius". The family of the Caesars claimed that they were the descendants of the founder of Rome, [Aeneas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aeneas/), the son of [Venus](https://www.worldhistory.org/venus/).

Ceasar created legislation to restore the [Roman law](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Law/). He had been elected as the *pontifex maximus*, the chief priest of Roman religion, and so his changes were validated in relation to Roman religion. The Senate granted him the title of dictator for life. Many senators saw his rise as going against the *mos maiorum*, the customs of the ancestors, and a group of them assassinated him over their claim that he aspired to be king of Rome.

[ ![Assassination of Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/3864.jpg?v=1778746148-1757310780) Assassination of Julius Caesar Vincenzo Cammuccini (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3864/assassination-of-julius-caesar/ "Assassination of Julius Caesar")Although a [patrician](https://www.worldhistory.org/Patrician/) (upper-class), Julius Caesar was popular with the common people. He grew up in a tenement in Rome's Subura district, populated with foreigners and the lower classes. During his funeral in the [Roman Forum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Forum/), the common people raided the basilicas for furniture, piled it on the pyre, and burned him there. Although the Senate ordered it cleaned up afterward, people continued to leave flowers and mementos at the site, as well as the site of the [assassination of Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/803/the-assassination-of-julius-caesar/) in Pompey's theater.

### Octavianus/Augustus

Caesar left no direct heirs. He had a son, [Caesarion](https://www.worldhistory.org/caesarion/), with the queen of [Ptolemaic Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ptolemaic_Egypt/), [Cleopatra VII](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cleopatra_VII/), but he was not recognized as legitimate in Rome. His one daughter, Julia, married to Pompey, died in childbirth. His will left everything to his 18-year-old great-nephew, Octavianus, through the process of legal adoption. As the heir, Octavianus went to Rome to put on funeral games for Julius. During the games, a comet appeared over the city for three nights. The common people claimed that this was a sign that Julius was “with the gods.”

Octavianus and [Mark Antony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mark_Antony/), Julius Caesar's cousin, divided the [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) into Eastern and Western regions, but ultimately [Antony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mark_Antony/) joined [Cleopatra](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/cleopatra/) and challenged Octavianus. They were defeated at the sea [Battle of Actium](https://www.worldhistory.org/Battle_of_Actium/) in Greece in 31 BCE, and both committed suicide. Octavianus murdered Cleopatra's son and added [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) as a senatorial province.

[ ![Augustus of Prima Porta](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/97.jpg?v=1778850022) Augustus of Prima Porta Andreas Wahra (original), new version by Till Niermann (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/97/augustus-of-prima-porta/ "Augustus of Prima Porta")Octavianus became the "first citizen", *princeps*. The English "emperor" derives from the Latin *imperator*. Through adoption, he was now Octavianus Caesar, which became the official title for subsequent emperors. The role of *pontifex maximus* became an inherited function of emperors. The Senate voted him the title of Augustus ("esteemed one") in 27 BCE. Moving from a republic to an empire, all rule was centralized under his authority. Elections for magistrates continued, but Augustus chose the candidates. As Julius' heir, he later had coins issued with the title, "son of god".

### The Imperial Cult of [Roma](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roma/)

After the end of the war with Antony, the Eastern client kings of Rome traveled to the city to indicate their loyalty and allegiance. They petitioned Augustus for permission to build temples and offer sacrifices to him. Initially refusing because Romans did not worship their magistrates, his advisors recognized the fiscal and propaganda advantage of these temples, and so he granted permission. They could erect a [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) to the goddess Roma, an abstract concept of all the virtues of Roman [civilization](https://www.worldhistory.org/civilization/). Roma could be petitioned for the prosperity of the empire as a whole and not just the emperor. In the provinces, the imperial cult was now a way to 'climb the ladder' in terms of status. In order to replenish the Treasury after the last civil war, priesthoods of the cult were sold to the highest bidders.

Augustus extended the Roman worship of the *lares*, ancient household deities that oversaw property and the family. He claimed that the *lares* of his family would protect his new *[Pax Romana](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pax_Romana/)*, "the Roman peace". His Altar of Peace, the [Ara Pacis Augustae](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/618/ara-pacis-augustae/) was dedicated in 13 BCE. It highlighted all the members of the imperial family, natural as well as adopted.

[ ![Ara Pacis Augustae](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/2108.jpg?v=1776682625) Ara Pacis Augustae Manfred Heyde (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2108/ara-pacis-augustae/ "Ara Pacis Augustae")Imperial temples were established throughout the empire, from [Roman Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Britain/) to North [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/). As an addition to the imperial temples, Augustus published his *Res Gestae*, a list of all of his deeds and titles during his reign. Myths emerged that his mother, Atia, Julius Caesar's niece, had been impregnated by the god [Apollo](https://www.worldhistory.org/apollo/). The vast [extent of the Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/851/the-extent-of-the-roman-empire/) contained distinct ethnic groups and their various gods. The imperial cult did not replace these ancient traditions but provided a layer of Romanization that unified the new empire. The precedent was established for the deification of emperors, but only after their death. When Augustus died in 14 CE, he was deified by the Senate.

### The [Julio-Claudian Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/collection/111/julio-claudian-dynasty/)

The next few emperors were the descendants of Augustus and [Livia Drusilla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Livia_Drusilla/)'s lineage from the founding family of the Claudians. Augustus adopted the two sons of [Livia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Livia_Drusilla/) by a previous marriage, [Tiberius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tiberius/), and Drusus. Drusus died fighting in Germania, leaving Tiberius the heir. The Julio-Claudians had complicated intermarriages of sons and daughters with cousins, nieces, and nephews. Later Roman historians detailed rumors of sexual scandals, poisonings, and executions in the reigns of Tiberius, [Caligula](https://www.worldhistory.org/Caligula/), [Claudius](https://www.worldhistory.org/claudius/), and [Nero](https://www.worldhistory.org/Nero/). Only Claudius was deified after his death.

[ ![Julio-Claudian Dynasty of the Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/15948.png?v=1723866665) Julio-Claudian Dynasty of the Roman Empire Simeon Netchev (CC BY-NC-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/15948/julio-claudian-dynasty-of-the-roman-empire/ "Julio-Claudian Dynasty of the Roman Empire")Nero became infamous for the first persecution of Christians, blaming them for a devastating fire in Rome in 64 BCE. The story first appeared in the *Annals* of the historian [Tacitus](https://www.worldhistory.org/tacitus/), written c. 110 CE. It should be noted that we have no contemporary witnesses for the story. If Nero did this, it was an aberration; in this period, there was no official policy concerning Christians.

### Flavian Dynasty

Nero's reign ended with his forced suicide in 68 CE. At this point, any continuing reign of the Julio-Claudian family was incredibly unpopular. What followed was the [year of the four emperors](https://www.worldhistory.org/Year_of_the_Four_Emperors/), [Galba](https://www.worldhistory.org/Galba/), [Otho](https://www.worldhistory.org/Otho/), [Vitellius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vitellius/), and [Vespasian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vespasian/). They were generals who had the support of their legions in Germany, Spain, and Egypt. The winner was Vespasian (r. 69-79 CE), of the Flavian family. He was sent by Nero to put down the [Great Jewish Revolt of 66 CE](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/823/the-great-jewish-revolt-of-66-ce/) in Judea. Upon Nero's death, he left the war in Judea to his son [Titus](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Titus/), who led the [siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1993/the-siege-of-jerusalem-in-70-ce/), which culminated in the destruction of the [Temple in Jerusalem](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/852/the-temple-in-jerusalem/).

The Flavians were tax-gathering public servants. Vespasian proceeded to restore the economic productivity of the empire. In consolidating Roman power in his wars in the East, Julius Caesar utilized Jewish mercenaries in the [Roman army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Army/). Returning in triumph to Rome, Caesar rewarded Jews with the privilege of continuing to practice their ancestral customs, exempt from the state cults of Rome. Inherent in his legislation was that Jews were not to recruit outside the synagogue nor interfere with the customs of Rome. Vespasian kept the edict intact but issued a Jewish tax. Jews voluntarily sent funds to [Jerusalem](https://www.worldhistory.org/jerusalem/) for the maintenance of the Temple, but it no longer existed. They were to collect the funds but send them to Rome for war reparations for the revolt. Vespasian was succeeded by his elder son, Titus, who only ruled for two years. Both were deified after their deaths.

Vespasian's second son, Domitian (r. 81-96 CE), renewed all the policies that usually got emperors killed. He employed spies to report conspiracies among senators and executed them so that he could confiscate their estates for the treasury. There were rumors that he murdered Titus. Domitian allegedly ordered people to address him as "Lord and god", as a living deity. He mandated that everyone offer sacrifices to him at the imperial temples. However, [Paul the Apostle](https://www.worldhistory.org/Paul_the_Apostle/), in his establishment of the first Christian communities, eliminated the traditional sacrifices to the gods, and Christians refused to obey the mandate.

### The Crime of Atheism

The modern word "atheism" comes from the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) *atheos* ("godless"). It did not deny the existence or belief in the other gods but indicated impiety, sacrilege, and disrespect of the gods. As the gods were responsible for the prosperity of the empire, angering the gods imperiled everyone.

Seeking more revenue, his advisors reminded Domitian of the Jewish Tax. Apparently, it had not been enforced in Rome or the provinces. Domitian sent the [Praetorian Guard](https://www.worldhistory.org/Praetorian_Guard/) throughout Rome hunting out the Jews. An earlier decision by the Christian communities was that pagan converts were not required to adopt the identity marker of Jews, such as circumcision (Acts 15). Therefore, as the adherents of [early Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1205/early-christianity/) were not ethnic Jews, they were not liable to the tax, but it also meant that they had no legal exemption, and refusing to honor the mandate of the imperial cult was unpatriotic and the equivalent of treason. Treason, always and everywhere, carried the death penalty. Thus, Christians and others were executed in the arenas. Domitian was stabbed to death by some advisors and Praetorians in 96 CE. He was not deified.

[ ![A Christian Dirce](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/731.jpg?v=1748209625) A Christian Dirce Franciszek Stolot (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/731/a-christian-dirce/ "A Christian Dirce")In the history of [Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/christianity/), the imperial cult ultimately became the reason for the ordeals and sufferings of Christians. The cult personified everything that was wrong with paganism. Christian refusal resulted in martyrdom, with the reward of achieving heaven in the afterlife. Traditional histories of Christianity list thousands dying in the areas. However, there is little historical evidence for vast numbers. Over the course of 300 years, we have periods of persecution perhaps seven or eight times, and usually only in the provinces. This is because persecution was directly related to a crisis.

[Rome's response to the spread of Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1671/romes-response-to-the-spread-of-christianity/) intensified whenever there was famine, drought, an [earthquake](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/earthquake/), [plague](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/plague/), or an invading army. This was when Rome persecuted Christians for angering the gods. When times were normal and prosperous, Rome paid little attention to what Christians were doing or preaching if they did not foment rebellion or interfere with established social conventions.

A second element of illegality was related to *collegia*. Collegia were [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) and social groups that formed clubs under the auspices of a god or goddess. But *collegia* had to be granted a license to assemble by the Senate. Christians were not granted this permission for 300 years. [Pliny the Younger](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pliny_the_Younger/) (61-112 CE) served as the governor of Bithynia-Pontus. In his correspondence with Emperor [Trajan](https://www.worldhistory.org/trajan/) (r. 98-117 CE), he reported that Christians were meeting in illegal *collegia,* and attendance at the imperial cult temples was neglected because of their recruiting. Our earliest descriptions of Christian trials come from the writings of [Pliny the Younger on Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1846/pliny-the-younger-on-christianity/).

### Subsequent Roman Emperors & The New Imperial Cult

Between 250 and 300 CE, the empire suffered the [Crisis of the Third Century](https://www.worldhistory.org/Crisis_of_the_Third_Century/): soaring inflation, plagues, invading armies on the borders, and several coups by generals usurping the throne as [barracks emperors](https://www.worldhistory.org/Barracks_Emperors/). Maintaining the elements of the imperial cult, divergent and oppositional views against each new emperor led to persecution and execution. As with all statistics in the ancient world, numbers are difficult to verify, but with the eventual dominance of Christianity, their stories were omitted in the Western tradition.

Emperor [Constantine I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Constantine_I/) (r. 306-337 CE) legalized Christian assemblies in 313 CE with the Edict of Milan. [Constantine’s conversion to Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1737/constantines-conversion-to-christianity/) ended the persecution of Christians. At that time, Christian bishops were in open dispute because some Christians had lapsed in the earlier persecutions by performing the sacrifices. Should they be driven from the church or forgiven? The bishops asked [Constantine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Constantine/) to intervene in the dispute. With his overriding concern for unity, Constantine ordered lapsers to be forgiven. This essentially made him both head of the empire and head of the church.

[ ![Constantine's Conversion](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/13987.jpeg?v=1779475280) Constantine's Conversion Peter Paul Rubens (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/13987/constantines-conversion/ "Constantine's Conversion")Due to riots and debates over the question of the relationship of [Jesus Christ](https://www.worldhistory.org/Jesus_Christ/) to God (the Arian controversy), Constantine called for the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE. This resulted in the Christian concept of the [Trinity](https://www.worldhistory.org/Trinity/), that Christ was the identical essence of God, manifest as a human on earth. It also produced the Nicene Creed, what all Christians should believe and practice.

Christian emperors were now elevated as the new Imperial cult. The emperor stood in for Christ until he returned to usher in the kingdom of God. Any Christian who deviated from the theology of the Christian emperor was deemed a heretic against the concept of orthodoxy ("correct beliefs"). Because he was the head of the state, heresy was the new treason, carrying the same death penalty. The sacredness of Constantine and subsequent Christian emperors was demonstrated through iconography, with haloes surrounding their heads. Further elevation declared Christian emperors as saints in heaven after their death.

When Emperor Theodosius I (r. 379-395 CE) issued an edict that Christianity was the only legal religion throughout the empire, imperial temples and public basilicas were converted to Christian churches. He also ordered the cessation of the [Olympic Games](https://www.worldhistory.org/Olympic_Games/) because they were dedicated to pagan gods. They were only reinstated in 1896.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## Bibliography

- [Capes, W. W. -. *Roman History The early empire, from the assassination of Julius Ca︠e︡sar to that..* Generic, 2018.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B0BV36CYYB/)
- [Moss, Candida. *MYTH PERSECUTION.* SanFran, 2014.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0062104551/)
- [Raimondi Cominesi, Dr. Aurora & de Haan, Dr. Nathalie & Moormann, Prof. Dr. Eric M. & Stocks, Dr. Claire. *God on Earth.* Sidestone Press, 2021.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/9088909555/)
- [Rhodes, Kevin W. *A Consequence of Legitimacy.* Hopkins Publishing, 2014.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1620809419/)
- [Wilken, Robert Louis. *The Christians as the Romans Saw Them.* Yale University Press, 2003.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0300098391/)

## About the Author

Rebecca I. Denova, Ph.D. is Emeritus Professor of Early Christianity in the Department of Religious Studies, University of Pittsburgh. She has recently completed a textbook, "The Origins of Christianity and the New Testament" (Wiley-Blackwell)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Denova, R. (2024, November 05). Roman Imperial Cult. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman\_Imperial\_Cult/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Imperial_Cult/)
### Chicago
Denova, Rebecca. "Roman Imperial Cult." *World History Encyclopedia*, November 05, 2024. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman\_Imperial\_Cult/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Imperial_Cult/).
### MLA
Denova, Rebecca. "Roman Imperial Cult." *World History Encyclopedia*, 05 Nov 2024, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman\_Imperial\_Cult/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Imperial_Cult/).

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Rebecca Denova](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/rdenova/ "User Page: Rebecca Denova"), published on 05 November 2024. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.