Greekness and Uniqueness: The Cult of the Senate in the Greek East

Abstract

ROMAN POWER GENERATED many different cults in the Greek east during the Republic, for instance of the goddess 'Ptcgl,1 of the Romans as benefactors and of the Roman demos. But there is one noticeable absence. Although there was a cult of the Senate in the imperial period, there is no evidence at all for it during the Republic. Thus when the power of the Senate is at its height it generates no cult honours but, paradoxically, once it has little significant power it does become the object of cult. This needs explanation. The following examination of cults of Roman power will suggest that they focus on those aspects of Rome that are recognisably Greek and familiar, such as the demos. The Greeks select these aspects in order to make Rome intelligible to themselves, but, because Rome's power renders them abnormal, they are elevated to cult status. The Senate, on the other hand, is unique; there is no parallel to it in the Greek world. This gives it immunity to cult, at least until the period of the empire. But, as the Senate becomes more familiar to the Greeks and the Greek boule more like a senate, so that immunity wears off. Although the Senate may not be as powerful as it once was, it can still have the aura of power through association. Furthermore, the development of the cult in the East coincides with the emperors' attempts to promote the prestige of the Senate.