Augusteum Explained

An Augusteum (plural Augustea) was originally a site of imperial cult in ancient Roman religion, named after the imperial title of Augustus. It was known as a Sebasteion in the Greek East of the Roman Empire. Examples have been excavated in Sebaste/Samaria, Constantinople, Aphrodisias, Antioch, Cartagena and (most famously) Ankara (Temple of Augustus and Rome).

Notable examples

• Herculaneum Augusteum: it is situated in the unexcavated forum area in the north-western corner of the archaeological site of Herculaneum.^[1]
• Pisidian Antioch: the temple of Augustus or the sanctuary of the imperial cult.
• Ostia Antica Augusteum: remains of the augusteum at Ostia are situated inside the barracks of the fire brigade located in the north-eastern flank of the archaeological site.
• Temple of Augustus and Rome in Ankara:
• Sebastia Augusteum:
• Augusteum of Constantinople
• Aphrodisias Sebasteion: The Sebasteion of Aphrodisias, built during the 1st century CE, is a monumental sanctuary dedicated to the imperial cult and the gods. Known for its elaborate reliefs and sculptural decorations, it celebrated the Julio-Claudian emperors, depicting scenes that merged Greco-Roman mythology with imperial propaganda.^[2]
• Messene Sebasteion
• Temple of Augustus and Rome, Athens Acropolis

Modern usage of the term augusteum

Since the 18th century, the term has also been used for certain academic and cultural buildings, such as the Augustea in Leipzig, Oldenburg and Wittenberg.

See also

• Mausoleum of Augustus, Rome

External Resources

• Photos of notable sebasteia with brief descriptions
• Photos of notable augustea with brief descriptions

Notes and References

1. Web site: Augusteum . Madain Project . 28 October 2024.
2. Web site: Sebasteion . Madain Project . 28 October 2024.