Emperor-worship (E38)

A small temple on the east side of the Forum has been identified as a temple for emperor-worship on the basis of the iconography of its marble altar (E38). It displays images closely associated with the emperor Augustus, and probably dates from his reign, although a Flavian date has also been suggested for it in the past. See further Dobbins (1992).

It is possible that the attendants of the cult of Augustus that developed out of the cult of Mercury and Maia (E30—31) were the assistants to the priests of Augustus. Holconius Rufus and Holconius Celer were both priests of Augustus during the emperor’s lifetime (D53—55), and other imperial priests for later emperors are also known, including Lucretius Satrius Valens (perpetual priest of Nero when designated successor, D11—15) and Alleius Nigidius Maius (priest of? Vespasian, D23). Otherwise, the tombs of several wealthy individuals emphasize their role as Augustales (G36—49), who were probably also involved in emperor-worship, but whose meeting place remains unidentified at Pompeii.

Altar for the Emperor i'n the Forum (E38)

This altar is probably Augustan. Its main (west) scene (E38a), facing the entrance to the sanctuary, portrays a sacrifice of a bull, an animal often used in emperor-worship. In detail, what we see is a priest with veiled head offering a libation (liquid offering) at a tripod altar, accompanied by attendants (including a flute-player and the slave who actually does the killing — victimarius — carrying an axe), leading the bull to sacrifice in front of a temple with four columns, which is partially covered by drapery. On the altar’s east side is a ‘civic crown’, a wreath made up of oak leaves, awarded at Rome for saving citizens’ lives, upon a shield, flanked by laurel trees. This scene reflects the honours granted by the Senate to Augustus in 27 BC. On the north and south sides are depicted sacrificial implements and priestly symbols beneath garlands of fruit hanging from skeletal ox-heads (buc'rania); on the north, a libation dish (patera), ladle (simpulum) and jug (urceus); on the south (E38b), a hand-towel (mantele), incense-box (acerra), and curved augur’s staff (lituus).

Plate 5.1 E38a Altar for the Emperor: scene of bull sacrifice

Plate 5.2 E38b Altar for the Emperor: sacrificial paraphernalia