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Which ancient Roman religious traditions did Claudius revive?
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Claudius
Claudius I, detail of a bust found near Priverno; in the Vatican Museums.
Claudius demonstrated a strong commitment to traditional Roman religious practices throughout his reign. His efforts to revive and uphold these customs included several key initiatives:
- Secular Games: In 47 CE, Claudius celebrated the Secular Games, a series of religious ceremonies involving three days and nights of sacrifices and games to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Romeās founding.1
- Pomerium Extension: In 49 CE, he extended the pomerium, the sacred boundary of Rome within which only Roman gods could be worshipped and magistrates exercised civil authority.1
- Support for Divination: He actively protected the haruspices, the traditional Roman diviners who interpreted omens.1
- Cult Integration: He is believed to have Romanized the cult of the Phrygian deity Attis.1
By emphasizing these traditions, Claudius sought to reinforce the religious foundations of the Roman state while simultaneously managing the imperial cult, which included the establishment of a temple dedicated to himself in Camulodunum.12