Imperial Cults: Religion and Politics in the Early Han and Roman Empires

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Rebecca Robinson (Assistant Professor of History, Assistant Professor of History, Hong Kong Baptist University)

Imperial Cults

Religion and Politics in the Early Han and Roman Empires

Rebecca Robinson (Assistant Professor of History, Assistant Professor of History, Hong Kong Baptist University)

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English

Oxford University Press Inc
17 July 2023

Ancient history: to c 500 CE; Ancient religions & mythologies

Imperial Cults is a comparative study of the transformation of imperial religion and imperial authority in the early Han and Roman empires. During the reigns of the Emperor Wu of Han and Octavian Augustus of Rome, the rulers undertook substantial reforms to their respective systems of cult, at a time when they were re-shaping the idea of imperial authority and consolidating their own power. The changes made to religious institutions during their reigns show how these reforms were a fundamental part of the imperial consolidation. Employing a comparative methodology the author discusses some of the common strategies employed by the two rulers in order to centre religious and political authority around themselves. Both rulers incorporated new men from outside of the established court elite to serve in their religious institutions and as advisors, thus weakening the authority of those who had traditionally held it. They both expanded the reach of their imperially-sponsored cult, and refashioned important ceremonies to demonstrate and communicate the unprecedented achievements of each ruler. Emperor Wu recruited experts in mantic knowledge from far reaches of the empire, while Augustus co-opted loyal followers into the newly revived priestly colleges. Robinson shows how the rulers used their respective religious institutions to consolidate their authority, secure support, and communicate their authority to the elite and commoners alike. By using the comparative approach, the author not only reveals similar trends in the formation of ancient empires, but also shows how new perspectives on familiar material can be found when engaging with other societies.

By: Rebecca Robinson (Assistant Professor of History Assistant Professor of History Hong Kong Baptist University)
Imprint: Oxford University Press Inc
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 168mm, Width: 226mm, Spine: 31mm
Weight: 440g
ISBN: 9780197666043
ISBN 10: 0197666043
Pages: 208
Publication Date: 17 July 2023
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Rebecca Robinson is Assistant Professor of History at Hong Kong Baptist University.

Reviews for Imperial Cults: Religion and Politics in the Early Han and Roman Empires

In a trailblazing comparative study that casts new light on the workings of the Han and Roman empires, Robinson compellingly analyzes how two of the most powerful rulers of the ancient world remade religious institutions to support their grand political ambitions. - Walter Scheidel, Dickason Professor in the Humanities and Professor of History, Stanford University Imperial Cults is a brilliant work of comparative history that makes a significant contribution to our knowledge of the complex nexus of religion, politics, order, knowledge, authority, and power in these two ancient empires at crucial moments in their respective projects of imperial consolidation. - Carlos F. Norena, Professor of History, University of California, Berkeley