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.
Author(s): Jussi Rantala
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2017
Language: English
Pages: 220
City: London
The Ludi Saeculares of Septimius Severus- Front Cover
The Ludi Saeculares of Septimius Severus
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
List of figures
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Chapter 1: Introduction
The task
The evidence
Severus, the ludi and the studies
Chapter 2: From the Antonine era to the Severan dynasty
Chapter 3: Organising the Ludi Saeculares
Towards the new era
Funding the festivals
Purifying the holy grounds
Chapter 4: The opening night and day
The rituals of the first night
Rites of the opening day: the god and his servant
Chapter 5: Day two: women take the stage
The second night: a prelude?
The second day: celebrating Juno
Chapter 6: The third night and day: the empire of the sunand the moon
A night of abundance
The third day: final sacrifices
Chapter 7: The closing acts: the Carmen Saeculare and theTrojan Games
A hymn for the Golden Age
The Trojan Games
Chapter 8: Conclusion
Appendix 1: The inscription commemorating SeptimiusSeverus’ 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
Index
