In search of "Auctoritas et Maiestas" : the Flavian Dynasty and Religions

doi:10.4467/20800909EL.14.001.2784

In search of "Auctoritas et Maiestas" : the Flavian Dynasty and Religions

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In search of "Auctoritas et Maiestas" : the Flavian Dynasty and Religions

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title:	In search of "Auctoritas et Maiestas" : the Flavian Dynasty and Religions
author:	Tatarkiewicz Anna
journal title:	Electrum
volume:	21
date of publication :	2014
pages:	117-131
ISSN:	1897-3426
eISSN:	2084-3909
DOI:	10.4467/20800909EL.14.001.2784
language:	English
journal language:	English
abstract in English:	Vespasian and his sons were forced to create their own style of politics, and, in search of auctoritas and maiestas, they could not neglect the realm of religion. We should bear in mind that in the Roman world, religion was an integral and indispensable component of social and political life. For these reasons, these representatives of the Roman Imperial Dynasty, just like their predecessors and successors, successfully used different forms of activity surpassing the narrow interpretation of the domain of religio, including massive building programmes, monetary policy or even poetry, to express devotion and respect for mores maiorum as well as to confirm the legality of their power by presenting the divine approval of their political strength. It seems legitimate to acknowledge that the Flavian era did not bring revolutionary changes in traditional religion. This clearly shows that the new dynasty was perfectly aware that one of the aspects of a well-functioning Rome was preservation of the ancestors’ customs and a belief in divine protection which could ensure safety, strength and belief in the unity of the Empire.
keywords in English:	Flavians, Vespasian, Titus, Domitian, religion
type:	journal article
subtype:	academic paper