Les dieux augustes dans l'Occident romain. Un phénomène d'acculturation

Augustan Gods, mainly known through epigraphy, commonly bestowed with the Imperial title Augustus/a as an epithet, are part of the “imperial cult” and represented a threefold political, religious and social acculturation. “Augustalisation” does refer to the emperor but in that case, he couldn’t be considered as an incarnate god or even be seen as protected by the gods. It implied a synergy between the gods and the emperor who stood as their mediator, remaining close to men. The exclusive term Augustus/a refers to Romulus, to the auspices of the imperator, to auctoritas which made the Prince legitimate. Although quite rare in the East augustan gods were commonly well-spread in the West, from Augustus’s reign until the early years of the 4th century. The Roman gods chosen for augustalisation were not really the political divinities which might be expected to be found but more likely benevolent gods protecting the cities and their inhabitants. Under the gods carrying Roman names we can discover numerous native divinities which had been reinterpreted (interpretatio romana) and which, with the purely indigenous gods, keep their local roots. With a particular suppleness, augustalisation integrated into the Empire all these provincial identities. Characteristic of all the backgrounds influenced by romanisation, augustalisation was first and foremost used by the municipal elite, who, through their evergetism, spread it in the rural areas but mainly among the urban population, thus strenghtening their legitimacy. Augustales and rich freedmen, quick to imitate elite, spread it among the rest of the population. High-ranking officials and officers stayed in the background. Constantly present in all the urban areas, Augustan gods concentrated their presence in civic centres and other loci celeberrimi where the strength of the political power was obviously seen. Urban scenographies and ceremonies reveal the consensus of all the members of a strong social hierarchy structured around the emperors seen as the direct go-betweens to the gods. Augustalisation made power even more sacred and legitimate and gathered around its symbolic representation an acculturated society with its manyfold identities.