Book contents
- Tiberius and the Charisma of Augustus
- Tiberius and the Charisma of Augustus
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures and Tables
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 Augustan Charisma and Its Transfer
- Chapter 2 Tiberius and the Imperial Cult
- Chapter 3 Charismatic Precedents
- Chapter 4 The Power of Images of Augustus in the Age of Tiberius
- Chapter 5 Charismatic Images of Augustus in Tiberian Authors
- Chapter 6 Maiestas and the Protection of Augustan Charisma
- Conclusions
- Bibliography
- Index
Chapter 2 - Tiberius and the Imperial Cult
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 November 2024
- Tiberius and the Charisma of Augustus
- Tiberius and the Charisma of Augustus
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Figures and Tables
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 Augustan Charisma and Its Transfer
- Chapter 2 Tiberius and the Imperial Cult
- Chapter 3 Charismatic Precedents
- Chapter 4 The Power of Images of Augustus in the Age of Tiberius
- Chapter 5 Charismatic Images of Augustus in Tiberian Authors
- Chapter 6 Maiestas and the Protection of Augustan Charisma
- Conclusions
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
The imperial cult is one area where the terminology of charisma has been applied. This is appropriate as Max Weber’s understanding of charisma arose from his reading of religious scholars. This chapter discusses Octavian’s/Augustus’ institution of the cult of Julius Caesar and his subsequent failure to promote that cult. Augustus’ cautious acceptance of certain divine honors in his own lifetime paved the way for his posthumous deification. But the cult of Divus Augustus endured because of Tiberius’ consistent promotion of that cult, both publicly and privately. Tiberius’ own persistent refusal of divine honors created a clear divide between himself as mortal and Augustus as divine. This began even before Augustus’ death, with the promotion of certain divine concepts like the numen of Augustus and his providentia in adopting Tiberius. Tiberius’ dedication of Temples to (Pollux and) Castor and Concordia Augusta preserved the charisma of his deceased brother Drusus, enhanced the identification of Augustus with Jupiter, and promoted the notion that the divinity of Augustus protected his house, the domus Augusta.
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- Tiberius and the Charisma of AugustusThe Principate Enshrined, pp. 36 - 65Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2024