In the ancient Rome, cults had a different meaning. Other than referring to the current brainwashing institutions or deviation from the mainstream beliefs, Romans used cults to worship gods who affected their daily lives (Crawford, 2011). With time, Romans created new gods and cults and this lead to the creation of the imperial cult. After the death of Julius Caesar, the Roman state recognized him as a god. In 29 BC, Caesar’s adopted son Augustus permitted the building of temples for Caesar in Asia Minor marking the first manifestation of the Imperial cult (Pollard, 2011).
Augustus used a combination of religion, political and propaganda to establish an imperial cult that would recognize him after death. Augustus came up with a concept of the genius and entrenched it in the way of worshiping such that people understood the spirit and therefore, the position of the emperor. The genius became a state practice that recognized Augustus as the ruler and, Augustus could control the masses' perceptions and way of life. Magyar (2009, p. 387) argued that the imperial cult was an imperial policy that those in authority could manipulate in whichever way they wished. By the end of the Augustus rule, the imperial cult was part of the religious, cultural, and political lives of Romans.
Since the gods provided things to humans, many people began worshiping the emperors for spiritual benefits. On top of that, since the emperor was powerful such that he could protect the people from external aggression, most Romans found it fit to call him the savior and the same thing occurred because the gods could provide health and good living.
The notion of the end times, when the emperor would rise again and complete the work he began years ago was central to the control of the masses. The Romans beloved that the adherents would live beside the emperor after death. Moreover, they also held that the emperor would judge all humankind and cast the unfaithful ones to damnation.
Bibliography
Crawford, Katherine. (2011). The Foundation of the Roman Imperial Cult. St. Olaf College. Accessed on January 23, 2017. http://wp.chs.harvard.edu/sunoikisis/files/2011/04/Crawford.pdf
Magyar, Zsolt. "Imperial Cult and Christianity: How and to What Extent Were the Imperial Cult and Emperor Worship thought to Preserve Stability in the Roman World?" Academia.edu - Share research. 2009. Accessed January 23, 2017. http://www.academia.edu/250713/Imperial_Cult_and_Christianity_How_and_to_What_ Extent_Were_the_Imperial_Cult_and_Emperor_Worship_thought_to_Preserve_Stability _in_the_Roman_World
Pollard, Nigel. "BBC - History - Ancient History in depth: Roman Religion Gallery." BBC News. February 17, 2011. Accessed January 23, 2017. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/roman_religion_gallery_06.shtml.
