Roman Religion - The Imperial Cult Explained

The Imperial Cult in the Roman Empire was an important tool for the romanization of the Empire, it brought with it a sense of commonality to the provinces of the Roman world. But it proved to be incompatible with Christianity.
Narration by: Alexander Dobby
www.alexanderdoddy.com
Music by: Adrian von Ziegler - • Relaxing Roman Music -...

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Hey everyone, we got a new narrator again... It didn't work out with the last guy sorry about that. The new voice is Alexander Dobby, he used to work for another KZbin channel - History Marche.

[@EasternRomanHistory]

Wow, it just gets better and better I think. This new narrator is fantastic, hope it works out.

[@jz1528]

Who was more important in the grand scheme of things for the republic, and the empire (western and Byzantine halves respectively)??? Gaius Julius Caesar? Or Gaius Octavius Julius Caesar, Augustus??

[@carlomariaromano4320]

What pity that you got rid of the original narrator. I got used to his voice and actually liked his accent. So, it was unusual to listen to the new narrator. That said, your Channel is underrated and deserves more views. Keep on with your good works.

[@eliteviktor3]

Post more stuff this is awesome :D

[@davidfinch7407]

I like this new guy. Plus, he has the exact same accent as the ancient Romans did, according to Hollywood.

[@Johnsmith99663]

A major point of the imperial cult was to help foster a common Roman identity in an increasingly diverse empire. Whatever differences people had, they all shared the same chief executive and knew his image. This convention worked very well…until it didn’t. The effectiveness of it is essentially the same as the effectiveness of monarchy. Monarchy works very well, but only when you have good kings; but even the most steadfast monarchist would admit that some Kings throughout history have been terrible rulers, and terrible rulers tend to do a lot of damage. The same goes for the imperial cult. When the emperors are good to the people and good at their jobs, the imperial cult fosters a desire amongst the people to be Roman; people want to identify with the virtuous emperor and his empire, and that desire supercharges the collective efforts of millions of people to keep the empire United. However, when emperors are incompetent, scandalous, or evil, the people are naturally repulsed, and push back against identifying with the emperor, an identity which is so closely intertwined with the empire itself. Part of the reason why we saw the rise of a more centralized, organized Paganism in the 3rd century (ex. Sol Invictus) was both to foster a common Roman identity while moving away from over-reliance on the Imperial Cult alone (along with trying to undercut the spread of Christianity.) The 3rd century showed everyone that emperors can screw up bigly and are easily replaced, so we can’t just focus on the emperor, especially when they’re setting the world a terrible example. A common, centralized religion that everyone could rally around would foster the Roman identity and encourage a desire to keep the empire together. The image of the emperor would still be displayed, but now there was a new tradition that transcended the politics of the day, yet still bound everyone together around a god they all knew. The only problem was Christianity (and to a much lesser extent, the much-demolished Judaism of the time) which refused to rally behind a common, Pagan god. However, the Christians were far more organized than the Pagans could ever hope to be, and little by little they eventually converted the empire; this new “Christianized” Paganism we see in the cult of Sol Invictus was too little too late to stop Christianity. It’s often asked how Christianity eventually gained the favor of the imperial family, but I think a better question is why it took the emperors so long to adopt it. Christianity would’ve been the perfect religion to incentivize a common, Roman identity, and its centralization, organizational capacities, and dedication to wiping out all rival religions would’ve seen it take over far more rapidly with the backing of the Roman government. Of course, there’s infighting within Christianity, and many Pagans observed that Christians seem to treat each other far worse than they treated non-Christians, but even amongst this infighting spread a common book, culture, mythology, etc. that everyone both inside the borders and without became increasingly familiar with. The theological details were still being hammered out, but the Christian movements continued to spread.

[@mullenenterprises]

This has to be the best history channel I’ve seen, period, and not even 10k subs. This should skyrocket so I’ll say it now; 30th day of Augustus’s month, 2020, 5k subs. I was here.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Well thank you Dylan, I appreciate you 😉

[@andrewdao24]

Hey I want to be part of history too!

[@ronaldp7573]

This channel is a hidden treasure. So concise and precise. I wish you much success.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thanks Ronald, let's hope it won't stay a _hidden_ treasure 😉

[@camilobautista46]

In your older videos you said "sorry for the long videos", well guess what ?! We the people demand long videos !! This stuff is amazing. Keep ot coming

[@user-cc7zc6vi9w]

Please keep posting. I dont think you realize how much potential this channel has. The more you post, the more your audience grows.

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thank you! I will start posting again soon!

[@Onio_]

Love the new narrator and of course a great video as per usual. Great job.

[@WarshMeh]

Yay! New sub and a fellow historian of classics. This is my favorite narrator! Wish you the best of success

[@saltycreole2673]

By the second Imperial century, the cult of the Deity/Emperor was so well developed that on his deathbed the Emperor Vespasian was claimed to have said "Methinks I am becoming a God"!

[@wildmen5025]

Ave Divus Vespasianus!

[@Dominus_Augustus]

Yes, and let's not forget how fast Rome fell after turning their backs on us...

[@SomeKrieger]

My faith is in the emperor of man lol

[@Lukas-lw4eg]

well, Eastern Roman Empire remained for quite a while ...

[@chrisyoung5363]

@@Lukas-lw4eg Why did they leave Rome ? Theyd been moving their wealth from Rome to Byzantium for 100 years. Is that why the Visigoths didnt get their Tribute Bribe ??

[@xiuhcoatl4830]

@@Lukas-lw4eg To be fair Constantinople was filled with pagans and cryptopagans. Byzantine paganism is really interesting

[@LettyK]

The Roman empire still has considerable influence today through the Pope, the Vatican and the Jesuits.

[@shadowmihaiu]

Very interesting and enlightening. Thank you for spotlighting and elucidating this aspect of Roman culture and thought. There is a lot here to think about.

[@dimitribagatelas1714]

Love your videos man, you`re the best. Keep up the great content!

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thanks Dimitri, I appreciate you! 🙏

[@vespasianflaviustheemperor7901]

You there, watching this at home. WORSHIP ME! Become my willing thrall. Know the sublime pleasure of blindly serving your new master.

[@SuperPope69]

All praises forever, unto the eternal Emperor

[@Historylover.]

Seek help buddy

[@lukemcinerny8220]

See you on the field of honor, sworn to the service of the trve Emperor 😉

[@brandbw]

I do like this new narrator, but if you ever want to make a cameo in a future video I think we’d all be happy too lol great job my man!

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Hehe great to hear! I will probably do a video here and there 😄

[@tulyopereira9915]

Amazing video. Perfectly explained ❤

[@kestutisvaiciunas8663]

Ah yes, the perfect narrator. Honestly keep doing videos with this narrator, and you will reach the levels above Kings and Generals, considering the quality of the research and animation done here too It all works in perfect synchrony

[@kestutisvaiciunas8663]

It's honestly one of these videos that i wish i had an entire playlist of videos with this narrator so i could keep watching them before sleep

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Thanks, yeah we will keep using this narrator he is really great

[@chrisyoung5363]

Alexander Dobby's voice faintly reminds me of Brian Blessed, well a bit then... :)

[@erinaltstadt4234]

Thank you, I’d love to learn more about the imperial cult

[@KeithShuler]

Subject matter, topic and narration all fit together seamlessly. Also, Bart D. Ehrman writes about the process of deification in a Roman world in his book How Jesus Became God. My day just got better!

[@NMMD1531]

Great video!!!

[@MyRealName148]

I remember this bloke. Nice choice. Cheers

[@lukemcinerny8220]

Top content sir 👏

[@yaruqadishi8326]

Not "divine emperor" but Divinely Blessed Emperor same as blessed ancestor.

[@Texasmade74]

no

[@yaruqadishi8326]

@@Texasmade74 oh yes

[@AntonioBrandao]

OMG love this narrator!

[@svensvenforkedbeard170]

To anyone saying the Roman Empire collapse treatment is what you get for turning your back on paganism. Saint Augustine would like a word with you, and he has an apologetic book for you to read

[@Enzo012]

We're starting to develop a bit of a 'state cult' right now if anyone noticed.

[@wildmen5025]

Hail to the Divine Emperors of Rome! May you guide the contemporary Polytheist community!

[@911wahnaibu2]

Hail to the divine emperors!!

[@sachinsewpersad2477]

And Hail to Venus! Mother of the Divine Emperors

[@wildmen5025]

@@sachinsewpersad2477 Ave Venus Genetrix!

[@sachinsewpersad2477]

@@wildmen5025 Ave!

[@billykotsos4642]

A beautiful video

[@nuggetoftruth-ericking7489]

This was fascinating.

[@patrickvernon1570]

Why or what is the meaning behind a “mechanical” understanding of worship?

[@chrissssymp1158]

Do you have a list of sources use for this video

[@memesofproduction27]

I am looking for information on how the power structure of the roman empire may have transferred into the initial structure of the catholic church, but lack even the keywords to search for this topic. do you have any knowledge on this to share, or perhaps any resources to point me toward?

[@RamManNo1]

I think when Charlemagne came along and started conquering everything and he pledged allegiance to the pope may have been the cap on it. Also, look up “donation of Constantine” in Wikipedia. It was a legend/forgery but it may be interesting to you. It talks of how he gave Pope Sylvestor I authority over Rome.

[@chrisyoung5363]

Well, if idolatry was only a Xtian concept, isnt it odd that The C C would commit that very thing ?

[@xiuhcoatl4830]

It started with Theodosius after his regret. He gave the title of Pontifex to the pope and with it powers. After that goths, normans and lombards protected the church, then the byzantines, and then Charlmagne pledged to the pope, and so the pope gave Charlemagne legitimacy over all western christianity.

[@xiuhcoatl4830]

I don't like the imperial cult, however, everything went downhill the moment romans stopped preserving the Pax Deorum.

[@Texasmade74]

the Gods turned their backs on Europe

[@xiuhcoatl4830]

@@Texasmade74 NO, the people did, the Gods still listen to anyone who reaches to them

[@Texasmade74]

@@xiuhcoatl4830 the Gods did turn their backs once the Pax Deorum was disrespected and not maintained

[@jhonjacson798]

What happened to that foreign sounding guy? I loved his voice

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Really? I didn't like my voice for these videos and since English isn't my primary language I prefer having someone else do the narration 😀

[@jhonjacson798]

@@TheSPQRHistorian I could tell but your accent is really pleasant! And also sounds kind of roman, also gives the channel a... Homemade vibe, if that makes any sense.

[@Hugh_Morris]

This guy used to narrate HistoryMarche I believe, also has a great voice

[@Insectoid_]

I like the new narrator. Glad I found this channel. Superb

[@zaraiwzara]

@@TheSPQRHistorian mate, i am sure that i have heard your voice somewhere else on youtube

[@TurkishAssassin100]

I came here to complain about the old voice just du find out that you replaced it. Don't get me wrong. I love the content but the voice made it not as enjoyable as it would have been with a more professional narrative. So that's much better in my opinion!

[@TheSPQRHistorian]

Yeah and I agreed with you so I decided to get someone more professional 😉

[@alteredbeast7145]

For the emperor!

[@francescocatalano5855]

Augustus was a great emperoror but he set the fate of the imperial institution by: 1st not separating the religious and the temporal powers. He was seducted at the idea of divine status like some oriental kings used to do but saved the appearance by making it official post mortem, but not the substance by keeping the advantages of the highest religious rank Pontefix Maximus 2) He did not issue clear succession rules as not from blood line and not as an adopted son chosen from the most reliable like for the adoptive emperors

[@publiusquinctiliusvarus7736]

Sources?

[@morgothfromangband6082]

This is my religion.

[@SuperPope69]

Same, all praises forever unto the eternal Emperor

[@Dominus_Augustus]

You both have earned my blessings. AVE.

[@jimparsons6803]

Interesting. So the honcho as a god or goddess. As a part of the government, as with the BCE Egyptians? Implying that there is a structure (perhaps an informal one that does its best work in the middle of the night?) that enforces the will of the god/government. Starting to sound like the stuff that went on in post revolutionary France? Or maybe like the a fore mentioned BCE Egyptians? Egyptians and later the Romans that had impressive buildings in which their god/goddess dwelt and from which Holy edicts and commandments emerged. ... that supported the State; those cited honchos. So that those honchos did well and made money where others did not? Take a good look at Tajan's Column --- there's a PBS program a couple of times a year that often has relevant close-ups and there might be interesting KZbin clips that have details and narrative explaining the various related stone carvings, perhaps? A pattern of a sort.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

There is one thing you missed about the Imperial Cult: following the example of Julius Caesar, at the funeral of each Caesar his wax image was _nailed _*_on a tropaeum!_* The tropaeum was in the shape of, and was in fact, a cross---the kind you see in churches today. Sources: Francesco Carotta, Was Jesus Caesar? and The Gospel of Caesar; Justin Martyr, 1 Apology 55

[@howtubeable]

It's true that modern Christianity, especially Protestant Christianity, is based on emotion and belief. But that is not always true. Traditional Christianity still continues the idea that the ritual of the Lord's Supper is central to the faith.

[@valmarsiglia]

More accurately, divus means "divine" or "godlike" and divi filius means "divine son" more than "son of a god," which would be "dei filius." And while it's true that making a sacrifice to the deified emperor was more akin to saluting the flag than actual religious worship, it's not accurate to class all pagan practice as being "mechanical" given the prevalence of ecstatic sects like the cult of Dionysus, mystery cults like the Eleusinian Mysteries, as well as Roman feasts like Lupercalia and Saturnalia that were known for their wildness and licentiousness. Let's not forget too that the games were part of the Roman civic religion. There was no shortage of emotion or even belief in ancient pagan practice, just as there was no shortage of mechanical ritual in Christianity.

[@Texasmade74]

A minor correction belief is definitely not purely a monotheistic thing because in order for a people or people's to spend the equivalent hundreds of thousands of dollars or more on deities requires belief of some sort. No one wastes expensive bulls on deities they don't believe in

[@911wahnaibu2]

Ave divine Augustus! Guide us to this day!

[@AriusOfAlexandria]

Genius

[@sugarnads]

Tantamount to. Not paramount to

[@sportsnewz5608]

Octavius: Ceaser's adopted son

[@ItsJustAdrean]

Now we know who the woman riding the beast in Revelation is

[@chrisyoung5363]

Why would The CC have a Woman On Top ??

[@edwardmiessner6502]

@@chrisyoung5363 The woman IS the CC. And all the other C's followed her into her own profession

[@dutchvanderlinde5004]

👍

[@jsoth2675]

Ave aurelianus restituor orbis!

[@RosesandLace]

Christian faith is not based on emotions but on intellectual conviction.

[@minhkhai3704]

TNO REFERENCE??? FUNNI TABBY IDEOLOGY?!!!

[@spectator6964]

Ave Imperator Augustus!

[@robertrodriquez8465]

The narrator's Voice hinders the learning experience with its goober approach

[@optimusprinceps3526]

✌️🌿😆🌿

[@Diogolindir]

I've been in love with Roman history for several years now but I always find very difficult to love the christian period :(

[@macvena]

Why so? The Christian period was good to us. The Eastern Empire lasted 1500 years. -- Constantine of Byzantium

[@Diogolindir]

@@macvena dont know man. I think I dont vibe with their ideas. Dont like early roman christian art but must admit that byzantine art was good

[@larrymays4244]

I feel like religion might have made the Empire weak by showing too much compassion to people who want to do evil in the hopes of turning them into religious followers. Religion allowed the criminals of society to thrive because severe punishment for bad crimes made people feel religious guilt. I feel like you can still be a compassionate human being without the superstitious religion that came during and after Augustus. I’m still new to all this history and I’m continuing to learn.

[@ItsJustAdrean]

@@larrymays4244 Paganism allowed for brutal public execution, slavery, and the senseless slaughter of the gladiatorial games. You honestly don't in the least value that Christianity drove all that out of business, by and large without bloodshed?

[@larrymays4244]

@@ItsJustAdrean I agree with slavery ending of course, but I still think brutal public executions of violent criminals and even having enemies of the state battle in gladiator games isn’t that bad. I know I’d think twice before committing a violent crime against an innocent civilian if the punishments where brutal. Law and order and peace.

[@SuperPope69]

Praise the Emperor

[@Hugh_Morris]

My problem with the Imperial Cult is that even the most incompetent, corrupt and cruel of emperors could be and were often deified. For the people of the day that believed these men were among the Gods now, what would that tell them? The Gods kept poor company! therefore they do not deserve worship. Deification should have been kept for just the most accomplished and beloved emperors. But then again I am just nitpicking here; I love Rome and hate that a degenerate like Commodus could walk with the Gods after his deification.

[@Hugh_Morris]

@Fun Fact so what if who were what?

[@morgothfromangband6082]

@@Hugh_Morris Commodus is my Jesus.

[@Hugh_Morris]

@@morgothfromangband6082 Commodus burns in the underworld

[@morgothfromangband6082]

@@Hugh_Morris And Jesus wasn't even real, as the underworld. But it would theoretically be fairer if the first Christians were swimming in lava for creating that pathetic cult that destroyed the European Roman civilization and culture.

[@Hugh_Morris]

@@morgothfromangband6082 I agree that Christianity nearly destroyed Europe, took away our unique cultures and customs. I do however believe in the underworld, and the Gods (Germanic), I might build a shrine to Jupiter one day though to, crossing pantheons is not an issue the Romans worshipped many foreign Gods it's all about which ones can give you strength in life

[@Desertfox18]

I like all things about Rome, except religious animal sacrifices, dog crucifixion, unlimited power of paterfamilias and slavery.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

Crucifixion of human beings was at least ten times worse---it was the most tortuous and humiliating death penalty the Romans could think of (Seneca Minor, Moral Epistles 101.10-14; Pozzuoli Graffito).

[@appalachian420grower5]

Pray to the sun to the moon to the earth all else is false and ego we are the gods this is eden we are squandering it

[@Rotisiv]

.

[@leninedison5214]

Sadness for the people who do not yet see it in the Christian way

[@marcvince1261]

Looks like catholicism was heavily influenced by the colt

[@logenvestfold4143]

Rome adopting Christianity was a mistake.

[@ThamizhanDaa1]

Big, big time.. it's why it fell

[@xiuhcoatl4830]

to be fair they were forced to

[@logenvestfold4143]

@@xiuhcoatl4830 sad though

[@nagendramishra8947]

Romans adopting Christanity is what made them very strong

[@logenvestfold4143]

@@nagendramishra8947 it literally caused the fall of the Roman Empire…

[@petercroves8562]

hmm, it's like Rome[the state[ is a god!, this is an idea that still is!-The USSR is one morden examples!, To put the state 1st is a view still around!.as for person worship-leaders today are honored with terms as -your worship and leaders today build cults around themselves today!-where use the term followers today!.-examples -the leaders of the US[presidents] , the leaders of North Korea, chia and Russia etc

[@SuperPope69]

Eternal Emperor > any state or government

[@MaRaX93]

No leaders are worshiped today like the Roman Emperors were, and there were no metaphysical perceptions of the state as divine in the USSR. You shouldn't really read some Marx before writing such silly things

[@GeppettoVonWalid]

@@MaRaX93 Kim Jong Un, his father and grandfather ARE worshipped...

[@MaRaX93]

@@GeppettoVonWalid no they arent

[@Insectoid_]

I wish paganism had remained.

[@ThamizhanDaa1]

Same.. it's only left in India

[@wildmen5025]

I'm helping to bring it back

[@user-ry2qs7xf9k]

This explains what has happened to Jesus!

[@robertrodriquez8465]

I can't stand this guy's voice. He sounds like a goober

[@palacehaunter5442]

Constantine the Mad Beast wrecked all of this...

[@foreverraining1522]

And also... "Pater Familias" is not the correct title for father of the family. Father of the family was called DOMINUS. Do you your RESEARCH before you publish your drivel, and learn how to pronounce your roman correctly.