The Ludi Saeculares of Septimius Severus: The Ideologies of a New Roman Empire

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.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction The Task The Evidence The Inscription Severan Literature Numismatic Evidence Severus, the Ludi and the Studies The Ludi Saeculares The Severan period 2. From the Antonine Era to the Severan Dynasty 3. Organising the Ludi Saeculares Towards the New Era Funding the Festivals Purifying the Holy Grounds 4. The Opening Night and Day The Rituals of the First Night A Quest for a Happy Destiny The Witness of the Vestals Pacifying the Gods Rites of the Opening Day: The God and his Servant The Father(s) of Rome Divine Severus? 5. Day Two: Women take the Stage The Second Night: A Prelude? The Second Day: Celebrating Juno Mother(s) of the Golden Age Imperial Concordia The Vestals stand Still Honouring the New Age 6. The Third Night and Day: The Empire of the Sun and the Moon A Night of Abundance The Goddess of Cultivation Food and Imperial Paternalism Guardians of Storage The Third Day: Final Sacrifices Apollo, the God of many Roles Diana, the Goddess of many Roles Written in the Stars 7. Closing Acts: The Carmen Saeculare and the Trojan Games A Hymn for the Golden Age The Severan Poem and its Performers The New Leaders of the Commonwealth Cities, Shores, and Golden Fields Blessings for the Army The Trojan Games 8. Conclusion Appendix 1: The Inscription commemorating Septimius Severus’ 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

About the Author :
Jussi Rantala is a researcher at the University of Tampere, Finland. His main research interests include questions of religion, ritual, representation, identity and historiography in the Roman Empire.