The Roman Messiah - The Pax Romana Podcast 7

Octavian’s new name, Augustus, signified Augustus’ new job; he was now personally responsible to preserve the newly won peace. The gods demanded a Roman representative. The chaos of the late republic was a direct result of impiety: the Romans had grown lax in their worship and committed grievous sins. Rome needed an anointed one—a messiah. How did Augustus convince Romans to place him at the center of a major religious reformation?

Primary Sources Referenced

Kneeling Parthian Denarius (RIC 287).

Augustus, Res Gestae 26.

Horace, Secular Hymn.

Virgil, Aeneid 6.1062-1076.

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