ABSTRACT
In their 1998 publication of Religions of Rome, M. Beard, J North and S. Price propound the view that the term “imperial cult” should be expanded to include a wide range of cultic activity related to the emperor, whether directly carried out in temples and other institutions of the Roman imperium or not. In particular, various forms of homage are to be included. This critical assessment weighs their contention and finds it wanting in several key areas, notably what the best sources themselves have to say on the topic. The conclusion is that there is much to gain by retaining the original meaning assigned to this phrase.
