The College of the Augustales, Herculaneum
Roman Freedmen and the Imperial Cult in Herculaneum
Apr 11, 2009
Situated along the decumanus maximus in region VI.21 of Herculaneum, the building of the College of the Augustales still retains many of its original features and frescos. Its inscription of dedication shows how the cult of Augustus allowed freedmen to make their mark in Herculaneum’s society.
Who Were the Augustales?
The Augustales were freedmen who had become successful local businessmen. They were the dignitaries of the imperial cult of Augustus.
The cult was founded by the Emperor Augustus as a way of allowing freedmen a role in civic life. Freedmen were barred from holding political posts and traditional Roman priesthoods. The imperial cult gave them a chance to contribute to the society that had freed them, advance themselves and demonstrate their loyalty to the emperor. They did this by acting as surrogate magistrates and local benefactors.
The Temple of Augustus in Herculaneum
The temple of Augustus in Herculaneum was identified by an inscription declaring it sacred to Augustus. Situated in a prominent position in the centre of the town, what remains is substantial. It was a square building with its main room divided into three naves by four Tuscan columns. Some of the wooden beams of the central raised roof survived destruction in AD79. They remain in place, carbonised by the pyroclastic surge that hit the town.
The temple shrine is at the back of the building, facing the entrance from the street. It was raised slightly above the rest of the room and was reached by two steps. As with the rest of the room, its IV style frescos survived the eruption. The whole temple is painted with scenes from the last episodes of the Hercules myths. This is significant in two ways. First, Hercules was the founder of Herculaneum so the frescos make a statement about the standing of the town. The episodes also highlight ideals associated with the emperors whose statues were on display in the building.
The Augustales in Herculaneum
The inscription identifying the temple also identifies who commissioned and paid for it. It also demonstrates how the Augustales used their cult to promote themselves in Herculaneum’s society.
The dedicators were two brothers: Aulus Lucius Proculus and Aulus Lucius Iulianus. Their names indicate that they were freedmen. Proculus and Iulianus would have been their slave names, joined by the personal and family names of their former master when he freed them. The pair must have been successful businessmen to be able to afford such a venture.
According the inscription, Proculus and Iulianus marked the dedication of the temple with a banquet not only for the Augustales but also members of the local senate. This inclusion of traditional local dignitaries shows how wealthy freedmen could use the cult to make connections with the local ruling classes despite being barred from their institutions
Sources:
Herculaneum: the excavations, local history and surroundings by Maria Emma Antoinetta Pirozzi. Electra. Naples.
The World of Pompeii (2007) Ed John J Dobbins and Pedar W Foss. Routledge: London and New York.
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