Overview

Imperial Cults is a comparative study of the transformation of imperial religion and imperial authority in the early Han and Roman empires. During the reigns of the Emperor Wu of Han and Octavian Augustus of Rome, the rulers undertook substantial reforms to their respective systems of cult, at a time when they were re-shaping the idea of imperial authority and consolidating their own power. The changes made to religious institutions during their reigns show how these reforms were a fundamental part of the imperial consolidation. Employing a comparative methodology the author discusses some of the common strategies employed by the two rulers in order to centre religious and political authority around themselves. Both rulers incorporated new men from outside of the established court elite to serve in their religious institutions and as advisors, thus weakening the authority of those who had traditionally held it. They both expanded the reach of their imperially-sponsored cult, and refashioned important ceremonies to demonstrate and communicate the unprecedented achievements of each ruler. Emperor Wu recruited experts in mantic knowledge from far reaches of the empire, while Augustus co-opted loyal followers into the newly revived priestly colleges. Robinson shows how the rulers used their respective religious institutions to consolidate their authority, secure support, and communicate their authority to the elite and commoners alike. By using the comparative approach, the author not only reveals similar trends in the formation of ancient empires, but also shows how new perspectives on familiar material can be found when engaging with other societies.

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9780197666043

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Reviews

"In a trailblazing comparative study that casts new light on the workings of the Han and Roman empires, Robinson compellingly analyzes how two of the most powerful rulers of the ancient world remade religious institutions to support their grand political ambitions."" - Walter Scheidel, Dickason Professor in the Humanities and Professor of History, Stanford University Imperial Cults is a brilliant work of comparative history that makes a significant contribution to our knowledge of the complex nexus of religion, politics, order, knowledge, authority, and power in these two ancient empires at crucial moments in their respective projects of imperial consolidation."" - Carlos F. Noreña, Professor of History, University of California, Berkeley Imperial Cults makes its case in eight well-argued chapters... Highly recommended. * Choice * Comparative history is a growing subfield of world history, within which comparative studies of Han China and Rome are particularly notable. Imperial Cults is an innovative contribution to this scholarship. Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty. * Choice * It is impressive to have mastered two separate bodies of source material and scholarly historiographies, and the bibliography here is suitably expansive. * James Corke - Webster, Greece & Rome *"

In a trailblazing comparative study that casts new light on the workings of the Han and Roman empires, Robinson compellingly analyzes how two of the most powerful rulers of the ancient world remade religious institutions to support their grand political ambitions. - Walter Scheidel, Dickason Professor in the Humanities and Professor of History, Stanford University Imperial Cults is a brilliant work of comparative history that makes a significant contribution to our knowledge of the complex nexus of religion, politics, order, knowledge, authority, and power in these two ancient empires at crucial moments in their respective projects of imperial consolidation. - Carlos F. Norena, Professor of History, University of California, Berkeley

Author Information

Rebecca Robinson is Assistant Professor of History at Hong Kong Baptist University.

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