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The Imperial Cult and the Individual THE IMPERIAL CULT AND THE INDIVIDUAL: THE NEGOTIATION OF AUGUSTUS' PRIVATE WORSHIP DURING HIS LIFETIME AT ROME _______________________________________ A Dissertation presented to the Faculty of the Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia _______________________________________________________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy _____________________________________________________ by CLAIRE McGRAW Dr. Dennis Trout, Dissertation Supervisor MAY 2019 The undersigned, appointed by the dean of the Graduate School, have examined the dissertation entitled THE IMPERIAL CULT AND THE INDIVIDUAL: THE NEGOTIATION OF AUGUSTUS' PRIVATE WORSHIP DURING HIS LIFETIME AT ROME presented by Claire McGraw, a candidate for the degree of doctor of philosophy, and hereby certify that, in their opinion, it is worthy of acceptance. _______________________________________________ Professor Dennis Trout _______________________________________________ Professor Anatole Mori _______________________________________________ Professor Raymond Marks _______________________________________________ Professor Marcello Mogetta _______________________________________________ Professor Sean Gurd DEDICATION There are many people who deserve to be mentioned here, and I hope I have not forgotten anyone. I must begin with my family, Tom, Michael, Lisa, and Mom. Their love and support throughout this entire process have meant so much to me. I dedicate this project to my Mom especially; I must acknowledge that nearly every good thing I know and good decision I’ve made is because of her. She has (literally and figuratively) pushed me to achieve this dream. Mom has been my rock, my wall to lean upon, every single day. I love you, Mom. Tom, Michael, and Lisa have been the best siblings and sister-in-law. Tom thinks what I do is cool, and that means the world to a little sister. Michael and Lisa send their love and support (and pictures of their dogs), somehow knowing exactly when I could use a little bully-love. I would never have gotten to this point, writing a dissertation, if it had not been for my father. He was an eighth-grade science teacher who took Latin in college so he could better learn scientific names, and in the process fell in love with the ancient world. He fostered that love in his children, but died from cancer while I was still in middle school. In the first year of my master’s, I came across a letter of Cicero contemplating apotheosis for his late daughter Tullia, and I understood Cicero’s grief all too well. This set me on a path to the divine emperors of Rome; by studying these deified men, I hope to honor my father’s memory while looking forward to my own future, just as the Romans had done. I have been beyond fortunate to have a wonderful group of friends who have helped me, lifting me up when I’m down, rallying around me when I need support, and celebrating every triumph, no matter how small. I begin with Brad Bunch, because he will like that. I met Brad in undergrad Latin and he has a good soul. Brad was my roommate during my master’s and he became my best friend. Brad deserves so much and I can’t mention it all here, but he knows. Dr. Andy Smith and Shari Faber are the kind of people you’re lucky to know, and even luckier if they are your friends. Without them, I would have floundered in Columbia. Andy is a careful listener, a skilled scholar, and has a strong sense of right and wrong. He loves all living things and he taught me that sometimes the best option is to watch the turtles for a little while. Shari is the kind of person who knows herself, which gives her strength, and she lends that strength to those around her. I feel I can say that she believes in me, and believes I can accomplish what I aim to do, and that is empowering. Both have taught me that the important things are worth taking a day-off for. I would not have completed my dissertation if they hadn’t taught me to enjoy the moment I’m in and the people I’m with. The two of them together are unstoppable, and they are fierce in their friendship and I thank them for everything; thank you for making me a part of your family. I must also thank Anna Meyer, Shawna Young, Elizabeth Janda, Josh Nudell, Kristin Harper, and Cassie Yacovazzi. They deserve more space than this, but I did not want to overlook their significant and important roles. Anna makes all of the things and she is a great artist and friend. Shawna is my oldest friend and we both share a way of looking at things; I hope one day to be as confident in pursuing my goals as Shawna. Elizabeth has been a wonderful friend since I met her, and, despite my flaws, she still is quick to support and encourage me. Josh Nudell taught me how to argue like a scholar by actually showing me how scholarly debate works. Kristin Harper is one of the most happy, giddy people I know and it is so hard to be glum around her. Cassie Yacovazzi pushes me to be better and also recognize my humanity. All of these people and more have playing an important role in the completion of this project. I must also acknowledge the animals that have played a role in my completion of the project. I find that it is much easier to work when there is a snoring doggo or purring cat (or both) sitting next to me, reminding me to stand up, walk around, and sniff the roses. Through my work as a pet-sitter, I have met some great animals: Hektor, Gus, Max, Huge, Jan, Al, Stella, Enzo, Izzy, Trix, Cisco, Boots, and Jack (the goodest boy). Jack is no longer with us, and the world is a little less happy without his tippy-tapping toes. All of these people (and animals) deserve to be acknowledged beyond what I am able to say here. Thank you for all of your help, friendship, love, encouragement, and so much more. I hope one day I can be half the person you all are. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first and foremost like to thank the faculty of the Department of Ancient Mediterranean Studies for their help with my research and for them encouraging me to look at the imperial cult in a different way. My advisor, Dr. Dennis Trout, has consistently pushed me to anchor and begin my interpretations in detailed analyses of textual evidence, material culture, epigraphy, and modern theories. His advice and guidance has taught me how to construct a narrative, and how to unpack my speech and hand gestures into a clear presentation of scholarship. Any flaws in my approach are very much my own. Dr. Raymond Marks has been my mentor throughout this process, listening to my ideas before they are strong enough to appear on the page. He was also the first one to tell me that in the writing process, I cannot keep every idea in the framework of a persuasive narrative, and things must be cut and saved for future projects. Dr. Anatole Mori has also encouraged and focused my arguments throughout this process and my graduate career. She helped me write my first seminar paper and demonstrated the importance of footnotes. Her guidance has taught me not only to stand by my own ideas, but also the importance and value of criticism. Additionally I must thank Mr. Aaron Harms and Dr. Stephanie Kimmey at the Writing Center. In the course of this year, I have had the opportunity to tutor all levels of students at every stage of the writing process as Fellow at the Writing Center. The act of tutoring has made it easier for me to integrate comments and critiques into my own work, and fully comprehend the reality that writing is rewriting. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...............................................................................................ii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ..........................................................................................v ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................. vii Chapter 1 LIVING MAN SEEKING WORSHIP: EXCESSIVE HONORS IN LATE- REPUBLICAN AND TRIUMVIRAL ROME .................................................................1 I. Contributions to the Field: The Road from Vivus to Divus .....................................5 II. Current Scholarship that Supports Private Cult of Augustus ................................ 11 III. Terminology ....................................................................................................... 20 IV. Chapter Outlines ................................................................................................. 25 V. Precedents and Problems with Living Divinity .................................................... 32 VA. The Role of Architecture and Literature in Late-Republican Collective Memory ............................................................................................................................... 34 VB. Octavian’s Early Forays into Divinity ............................................................. 41 VI. Private Cult in Augustan Rome ........................................................................... 46 Chapter 2 POETIC SCENES OF SACRIFICE: WORSHIPPING THE LIVING EMPEROR IN ROME ................................................................................................... 47 I. Sacrifices to the Vivus Augustus.......................................................................... 48 IA. Poetry as a source ............................................................................................. 50 IB. Historical Context ............................................................................................
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