1st Edition

The Ludi Saeculares of Septimius Severus The Ideologies of a New Roman Empire

By Jussi Rantala Copyright 2017
    220 Pages
    by Routledge

    220 Pages 6 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This is the first monograph to examine in detail the Ludi Saeculares (Secular Games) of Septimius Severus and argues that the games represented a radical shift from Antonine imperial ideology. To garner popular support and to legitimise his power, Severus conducted an intensive propaganda campaign, but how did he use the ludi to strengthen his power, and what were the messages he conveyed through them? The central theme is ritual, and the idea of ritual as a process that builds collective identity. The games symbolised the new Severan political and social vision and they embodied the idea of Roman identity and the image of Roman society which the emperor wished to promote. The programme of the games was recorded in a stone inscription and this text is analysed in detail, translated into English and contextualised in the socio-political aims of Septimius Severus.

    1. Introduction



    The Task



    The Evidence



    The Inscription



    Severan Literature



    Numismatic Evidence



    Severus, the Ludi and the Studies



    The Ludi Saeculares



    The Severan period





    2. From the Antonine Era to the Severan Dynasty





    3. Organising the Ludi Saeculares



    Towards the New Era



    Funding the Festivals



    Purifying the Holy Grounds





    4. The Opening Night and Day



    The Rituals of the First Night



    A Quest for a Happy Destiny



    The Witness of the Vestals



    Pacifying the Gods



    Rites of the Opening Day: The God and his Servant



    The Father(s) of Rome



    Divine Severus?





    5. Day Two: Women take the Stage



    The Second Night: A Prelude?



    The Second Day: Celebrating Juno



    Mother(s) of the Golden Age



    Imperial Concordia



    The Vestals stand Still



    Honouring the New Age





    6. The Third Night and Day: The Empire of the Sun and the Moon



    A Night of Abundance



    The Goddess of Cultivation



    Food and Imperial Paternalism



    Guardians of Storage



    The Third Day: Final Sacrifices



    Apollo, the God of many Roles



    Diana, the Goddess of many Roles



    Written in the Stars





    7. Closing Acts: The Carmen Saeculare and the Trojan Games



    A Hymn for the Golden Age



    The Severan Poem and its Performers



    The New Leaders of the Commonwealth



    Cities, Shores, and Golden Fields



    Blessings for the Army



    The Trojan Games





    8. Conclusion





    Appendix 1: The Inscription commemorating Septimius Severus’ Ludi Saeculares





    Appendix 2: Records of the Severan Ludi Saeculares





    Appendix 3: The Rituals of the Ludi Saeculares of CE 204





    Appendix 4: The History of the Ludi Saeculares

    Biography

    Jussi Rantala is a researcher at the University of Tampere, Finland. His main research interests include questions of religion, ritual, representation, identity and historiography in the Roman Empire.