Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Like us on Facebook
Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Curiosmos
No Result
View All Result

How Roman Emperors Were Turned Into Gods In Ancient Rome

Vladislav TchakarovbyVladislav Tchakarov
November 25, 2020 - Updated on January 21, 2024
in Ancient Civilizations
"Funeral Rites for a Roman Emperor", by Lanfranco Giovanni Di Stefano, 1636. This is not the most accurate depiction of the apotheosis but it should give you a general idea. Credit: Museo Del Prado

"Funeral Rites for a Roman Emperor", by Lanfranco Giovanni Di Stefano, 1636. This is not the most accurate depiction of the apotheosis but it should give you a general idea. Credit: Museo Del Prado

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

After the death of a Roman emperor, it was time for his apotheosis. This was the name of the complex, lengthy, and slightly strange procedure for the funeral of the ruler, which was described in detail by the historian Herodian. More precisely, the apotheosis was not even a funeral, but the ritual of reckoning the deceased with the host of gods.

Deification was a prerequisite only if the deceased ruler had mail heirs and secondly – he did not stain himself with some bloody abomination during his life (which, however, happened quite often in ancient Rome) – that is, he died to great sorrow, and not to the joy of the Roman people.

The Apotheosis of Emperor Septimius Severus

Head marble bust of Emperor Septimius Severus. Credit: Louvre Museum
Head marble bust of Emperor Septimius Severus. Credit: Louvre Museum

Emperor Septimius Severus became such a contender for deification in 211. This man, although he was not distinguished by an angelic disposition, and sometimes even the opposite, he fully deserved to get into a warm company with Jupiter and Mars according to his contemporaries.

In the case of Septimius Severus, a vessel with his ashes was buried in the earth, which was brought from Britain, where the emperor died after a long war with the local Celts. However, this stage of the funeral which would be the last for a regular citizen was only the beginning for the emperor. After this moment, it was time for the apotheosis.

Related Posts

An image of the Poseidon Temple in Sounio. Shutterstock.

Cosmic Connection: The Intricate Location of Ancient Greek Temples and the Stars

December 17, 2019 - Updated on January 21, 2024
The Great Sphinx with the Pyramid of Pharaoh Cheops in the background. 1877 photo by French photographer Henri Bechard. Shutterstock.

The Great Sphinx Is So Old It Was Restored For the First Time 3,500 Years Ago

December 10, 2019 - Updated on January 21, 2024

Here is what Herodian, a Roman historian, wrote:

“… What followed was the creation of a sculpture from wax of the emperor, completely similar to him, and put him at the entrance to the palace on a huge and high bed of ivory, covered with bedspreads with gold embroidery. The wax figure would lie in full view of everyone, pale as a patient.”

The best people of Rome would then flock to the palace, more precisely, to the wax sculpture of the emperor.

“On both sides of the box, they would sit for most of the day: on the left – the entire Senate dressed in black, and on the right – all those women who enjoyed special respect thanks to the merits of their husbands and fathers.”

The purpose of the wax figure was much more significant than simply a place to pay your respect. Among other things, it should symbolize the fact that the emperor is very sick and the best medics cannot cope with the illness. The agony of the unfortunate emperor would last a week and continuously increase.

“This would last seven days; doctors would come, and each time they would approach the box, as if examining a patient, and each time they would say that he is getting worse.”

And after seven days, it would turn out that the struggle for life is over – the emperor was no longer among the living and the next stage of the apotheosis could begin. Although the emperor was dead, in reality, there was no reason for an upset – Septimius Severus would have a much more dignified life.

Noble Romans would lift the bed with the wax “corpse” of the emperor and carry it along the Sacred Road to the old forum – an extremely important place in Rome, where officials have resigned from time immemorial. Here, on the forum, other equally inconsolable companies of mourners waited for the arrival of the wax statue of the ruler.

For some time, it would be kept at the old forum, after which it was moved to another place – to the Champ de Mars, where popular meetings and various kinds of sports were usually held.

But then there was no time for sports. By this time, on the Champ de Mars, a majestic pyramid was already ready, similar to one of the seven wonders of the world – the Alexandria lighthouse.

Funeral Rites for a Roman Emperor by Italian painter Domenichino. Credit: Museo Del Prado
Funeral Rites for a Roman Emperor by Italian painter Domenichino. Credit: Museo Del Prado

Herodian described the construction in five levels. The lowest one consisted exclusively of huge logs fastened together – something like a house. Each following level of the construction had the same shape and decorations but smaller in size.

The bed with the emperor was placed on the second floor, after which the base of the pyramid was literally covered with flowers and various fragrant plants. They were brought to Rome from different provinces – from Africa, Greece, Egypt, Spain… This should demonstrate the love of the emperor of all the inhabitants of the Roman Empire.

I truly wonder how this transportation was possible on such short notice without modern means of transport but according to historical sources, it happened just like that.

When everything was in order with herbs and incense and the Champ de Mars was filled with a dizzying aroma, the parade would begin, turning into a grandeur costume performance.

And after that – the very apotheosis. Moreover, the ceremony ended in a truly divine way.

When the whole ceremony and parade were over, the emperor’s successor (in this case his elder son Caracalla) would take a torch and bring it to the construction first. Others would follow from all sides until the whole structure is completely lit.

And from the highest building at the top of the structure, an eagle flew out as a symbol that would carry the soul of the emperor to heaven. With this, the apotheosis was complete and the emperor was turned into a literal god according to the understanding of ancient Romans.

Difficult, long, pretentious, but beautiful! Wouldn’t you agree?

Join the discussion and participate in awesome giveaways in our mobile Telegram group. Join Curiosmos on Telegram Today. t.me/Curiosmos


Sources:

• HERODIAN. (2018). HISTORY OF THE EMPIRE FROM THE DEATH OF MARCUS. S.l.: CHARLES RIVER EDITORS.

• Hartwell, J. J. (n.d.). Retrieved November 25, 2020, from http://hauburn.tripod.com/apotheosis.html

Share157Tweet98Share27ShareSend
Vladislav Tchakarov

Vladislav Tchakarov

Hello, my name is Vladislav and I am glad to have you here on Curiosmos. As a history student, I have a strong passion for history and science, and the opportunity to research and write in this field on a daily basis is a dream come true.

Related Posts

Little-Known Curiosities About the Cave Paintings of Tassili n’Ajjer
Ancient Civilizations

Little-Known Curiosities About the Cave Paintings of Tassili n’Ajjer

August 5, 2023 - Updated on January 20, 2024
An aerial view of the monumental structures in the Saudi Arabian desert. Image Credit: Oxford University.
Ancient Civilizations

Ancient Blueprints of Megastructures Unearthed: The Oldest in Human History

May 18, 2023 - Updated on February 1, 2025
Could There Have Been a Civilization Before the Ice Age?
Ancient Civilizations

Could There Have Been a Civilization Before the Ice Age?

June 6, 2025
A lateral view of the Great Sphinx. Shutterstock.
Ancient Civilizations

Here Are 10 Secrets and Curiosities About the Great Sphinx of Egypt

December 18, 2022 - Updated on January 20, 2024
An illustration of the so-called Herodotus machine, thought to have been used in the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Ancient Civilizations

Here’s Da Vinci’s Drawing of the “Machines” Mentioned in 440 BC Used to Build Egypt’s Pyramids

December 19, 2022 - Updated on January 20, 2024
Was there an unknown ancient civilization in the Amazon? This is a LiDAR scan showing the remnants of cities.
Ancient Civilizations

Was there an unknown ancient civilization in the Amazon?

May 24, 2025
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fair Use Notice
  • DMCA / Removal
  • Impressum
  • Contact
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Ownership and Funding Information
  • Impressum
CURIOSMOS.COM

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists