Divine Honours for the Caesars by Winter Bruce W

Author:Winter, Bruce W.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Published: 2015-09-09T22:08:19+00:00

(iii) New Sacrifices for Gaius, an Adopted Son and Heir of Augustus

The reason that Scipio required all in Messene and elsewhere in Achaea to undertake further cultic veneration is spelt out in the inscription —

and when he learned that Gaius, the son of Augustus (υἱὸς τοῦ Σεβαστοῦ), involved in battle against the barbarians on behalf of all men, was in good health, had escaped the dangers, and had taken vengeance on the enemy, with exuberant joy at this best news (ἐπὶ ταῖς ἀρίσταις ἀνγελίαις) he directed all both to wear wreaths and to sacrifice (στεφαναφορεῖν τε πάντοις διέταξε καὶ θύειν) on ‘undisturbed’ holidays, and he himself both sacrificed an ox for the safety of Gaius (αὐτὸς τε βουθυτῶν περὶ τᾶς Γαίου σωτηρίας) and was lavish in various spectacles so that what took place rivalled what had come before those given in the past on one hand, but the solemnity remained balanced. (ll. 10-17)

Significantly there are two imperial sacrifices described in this one inscription. There were sacrifices to the gods ‘for (περί) the safety of Gaius’ (l. 15) — the sacrifice of an ox was very much a Roman custom — and sacrifices on ‘behalf of’ (ὑπέρ) Gaius (l. 18). (See Section iv.)

A similar inscription in Koine Greek from Sardis also makes reference to the imperial cultic practice concerning prayers offered for him — ‘sacrifice for Gaius to the gods for his [Gaius’] safety’ (ὑπὲρ τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτοῦ) with ‘most splendid sacrifices performed to the gods’ (θυσίας τοῖς θεοῖς ἐκπρεπεστάτας ἐπιτελέσαι).38

The great importance of Gaius and Lucius as successors is reflected in a frieze in the Sabastion leading to the imperial cult temple in Aphrodisias. Gaius is portrayed naked holding an orb of the world in his hand as a symbol of world rule, but Lucius, likewise naked, has a ship’s stern in his hand representing a naval victory.39 When statues of members of the imperial family appear naked, it is an indication that they are gods. (See pp. 189-90.)

Dio Cassius records that

Agrippa again acknowledged the birth of a son who was named Lucius; Augustus immediately adopted him together with his brother Gaius, not waiting for them to become men, but appointing them then and there successors in his office, in order that fewer plots might be formed against him.40

A personal letter from Augustus to Gaius, written after he officially reached manhood by Roman reckoning, shows how fond he was of his now adopted son and heir, for he used very affectionate terms.

[M]y most delightful donkey, whom I always miss, by all that’s holy, whenever you are absent . . . I beg the gods that whatever time I have left I might pass with (all of) us in good health and with the State in the happiest condition, and with (the two of) you [Gaius and his brother, Lucius Caesar] behaving like men and succeeding to my post of honour.41

For good reasons Scipio well understood the aspirations of Augustus for Gaius. It explains one of his three cultic acts being rigorously promoted in this decree.

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