Pergamum: Imperial Cult
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Pergamum: Imperial Cult |
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| In 29 B.C. Pergamum was given the privilege of establishing a cult for the goddess Roma and the emperor Octavian, who was soon to be called Caesar Augustus. The coin above is from Pergamum and shows the facade of the city's temple to Augustus. Along with rites honoring the emperor, the city held sacred games. In A.D. 26, Pergamum tried to gain permission to build a temple for the emperor Tiberius, but the honor was given to Smyrna. Cities competed for the privilege of building imperial temples in order to enhance their prestige, to foster good relations with Rome, to provide opportunities for people to serve as priests, and to bring revenue into the community. Several decades after Revelation was written, Pergamum was able to build a temple to the emperor Trajan. | |||
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