Main Page Luther Seminary Home Page Credits & Permissions

Traditional Deities Judaism

Sardis: Imperial Cult
Sardis had a priesthood dedicated to the goddess Roma by about 100 B.C. In 27 B.C. Sardis tried to establish Asia’s first temple to Caesar Augustus. Although their initial attempt was not successful, the city had a local temple to Augustus by 5 B.C. To show their devotion to the imperial family, the city also consecrated a cult statue to Augustus’ son Gaius. Sardis competed for the honor of building a temple to the emperor Tiberius in A.D. 26, although the privilege was given to Smyrna (Tacitus, Annals 4.55-56).