ABSTRACT
The occasions listed in the feriale are largely imperial, though with a surprising admixture of Republican festivals, and commemorate the birthdays of a litany of living and deceased emperors and empresses with rites that are prescribed in careful detail. On high festivals, particularly the birthdays of the living emperor(s) or imperial women, the sacrifice of a victim, on other days supplications of incense and wine. We also know of other military observances such as the erection of a new altar overlooking the parade ground and the solemn interment of the altar from the previous year to mark the annual renewal of the soldiers' oath of allegiance to the emperor. To place a statue or bust in the cella rather than the porch was already a mark of special distinction, but to place it beside the idol—while not making the emperor himself a god— placed him in intimate, direct proximity to the god and must certainly have enhanced his charisma enormously.
