Jan 19
The Emperors Claim to Divinity In Roman religion, the relationship between the emperors and the gods was complex and evolved over time. The concept of divinity in Roman imperial ideology became a central part of the Roman imperial cult and the emperor’s sacred authority. While there wasn’t a formalized concept of a “divine marriage” in …
‘To the god Bregneus I give the axe which I have lost from my house, (the house) of Hegemon. […] has stolen, he is not to be permitted sleep or health (until) he has brought it to your temple as we ?arrange. The hammer which I previously lost, it also […] ?I give.’
Altar dedicated to Bregans and the Divinity of the Emperor
‘The goddess Brigantia.’
To the goddess Victoria Brigantia Aurelius Senopianus dedicated this altar.
“This offering to the goddess-nymph Brigantia, which he had vowed for the welfare and safety of our Lord the Invincible Emperor Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Pius Felix Augustus and of his whole Divine House, Marcus Cocceius Nigrinus, procurator of our Emperor and most devoted to his divinity and majesty, gladly, willingly, and deservedly fulfilled.”
“To eternal Jupiter of Doliche and to Caelestis Brigantia and to Salus Gaius Julius Apolinaris, centurion of the Sixth Legion, at the command of the god (set this up).”
“To eternal Jupiter of Doliche and to Caelestis Brigantia and to Salus Gaius Julius Apolinaris, centurion of the Sixth Legion, at the command of the god (set this up).”
“Sacred to the goddess Brigantia: Congennicus willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow.”
In high relief standing in a gabled niche. The goddess Brigantia is winged, has a Gorgon’s head on her breast, and wears a plumed helmet encircled by a turreted crown. In her right hand she holds a spear, in her left a globe; to her left stands her shield, to her right an omphaloid stone. Her attributes equate her with Minerva Victrix (see Jolliffe loc. cit.). It is said that when first discovered the statuette had traces of gilding.
