Figure 09

Papyrology Room, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (P.Oxy. 58.3929).

This papyrus document, found in Oxyrhynchus in Egypt, is a certificate of sacrifice (libellus) from the Decian persecution (AD 250).

Figure 08

CUGN.org

Bronze sestertius coin (AD 65) of Nero (AD 54–68). Obv.: Laureate head of Nero. NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP P P. Obv.: The goddess Roma helmeted in military dress and seated left on a cuirass with her foot on a helmet, holding Victory in her right hand while resting her left hand on a dagger (Lat. parazonium), surrounded by weaponry on the ground behind.

Figure 07

© 2017 David E. Graves

The Sebasteion (σεβαστός, Sebastos = Lat. Augustus, AD 5) or Augusteum, in Aphrodisias (in modern Turkey) was jointly dedicated, according to a first cent. inscription on its propylon, “to Aphrodite, the Divine Sebastoi [Augusti] and the municipalities” (Άφροδίτηι, θεοῖς Σεβαστοῖς, τῶι δήμωι; Joyce Maire Reynolds, “Further Information on the Imperial Cult at Aphrodisias,” Studii Clasice 24 (1986): 111). The temple was used by the imperial cult to honor Augustus.

Figure 06

 © 2017 David E. Graves

Portrait of a priest who served in the temple of the imperial cult. This statue comes from Ephesus and dates from the second cent. AD. The priesthood of the emperor cult was usually held by the local aristocracy, providing them with political status and a means of social advancement.

See also: David E. Graves, Biblical Archaeology Vol 1. Second Edition: An Introduction with Recent Discoveries That Support the Reliability of the Bible. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Toronto, Ont. Canada: Electronic Christian Media, 2018. Fig. 108.

For details on the Imperial cult see David E. Graves, Jesus Speaks to Seven of His Churches: A Commentary on the Messages to the Seven Churches in Revelation (Toronto, Ont.: Electronic Christian Media, 2017), pp. 57-60; 112-121.

See also Image 06.

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Figure 05

© 2017 David E. Graves

A round altar (Lat. ara) used in the imperial cult from the second or third cent. AD. Altars were usually decorated with the works of the most notable artists of the day. Most altars were erected outside in the open air and in sacred groves.

Figure 04

Capitoline Museum, Rome Photo by Matthias Kabel, PD

Emperor Marcus Aurelius (AD 161–180) and members of the Imperial family offer sacrifice in gratitude for success against Germanic tribes. In the backgrounds stands the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitolium (this is the only extant portrayal of this Roman temple). Bas-relief from the Arch of Marcus Aurelius, Rome.

Figure 03

The Statue of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. © 2017 David E. Graves