PONTIFEX MAXIMUS

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PONTIFEX MAXIMUS
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• The Pontifex Maximus was the chief or high priest
  in Roman society.
• In the early republic, the Pontifex Maximus was
  elected by the priests themselves.
• The position eventually became politicized after
  the 3rd century BC, the office was publicly
  elected.
• Julius Caesar actively sought and won the office
  early in his career.

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• Augustus also became pontifex maximus as did all
  emperors after him. He had many religious duties
• I have been Pontifex Maximus, augur, a member of
  the College of fifteen for performing sacrifices,
  a member of the College of seven for conducting
  banquets and a member of the Arval brotherhood.
• (The achievements of the deified Augustus7)

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• This marble relief from Rome depicts a triple
  sacrifice known as a suovetaurilia from the
  Latin words
• sus - pig ovis - sheep taurus - bull
• It was a special offering to the god Mars
• The emperor with his toga drawn over his head, is
  sprinkling incense onto an altar. An attendant
  holds an incense box with lid open.The popa
  stands with axe at left.

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• The peoples in the eastern Roman empire had
  always thought of their rulers as divine, and so
  it seemed natural to worship the Roman Emperor as
  God.

• EMPEROR WORSHIP

The Emperor Augustus represented as Jupiter