A Backdrop to the Development of "Sol Invictus" Cult in Ancient Rome

Abstract

Even though the ancient solar cult had already appeared back in the days of the Roman Republic, it had to wait for a long time to gain far-reaching importance. However, emperors were fond of increasing the influence of Deus Sol in society, on both political and religious grounds. Initially, they took great care to ensure that their personal prestige remained greater than that influence. However, during the late Principate period, the continuous growth of syncretistic and monotheistic tendencies led the influence of the Sol Invictus cult to surpass the people’s reverence for the “creators” of the cult. The purpose of this study is to examine that process in the light of competent religious, policy and philosophical research.