Dodge 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2006 (edited) Just wanted to throw a general enquiry into the air, I apologise if it has been covered somewhere else on the site. Does anyone have a view on whether religious cults were used as opportunities for power. I am thinking along the lines of the Greek cities and the Imperial Cult eg the Ephesian cult and the standing of the city as Ephesion Proton Asias (first in Asia) twice neokoros, did the establishment of the Imperial Cult in Ephesus add to their standing amongst other cities? Any references to individuals and power would also be interesting. Edited June 2, 2006 by Dodge Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caldrail 152 Report post Posted June 9, 2006 Of course they were. The chief high priest of Rome, the Pontifex Maximus, was a political appointment. The Vestal Virgins had some influence too. I also note that the concept of the Underworld was exploited in roman times by some cheeky individuals who set up an oracle service in a cave system somewhere (I don't know the location). I don't know of any specific examples of cult influence off-hand (except the various christian cults or mithraic beliefs) but given roman ways it stands to reason that cults were exploited for personal gain. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lost_Warrior 0 Report post Posted June 9, 2006 Caldrail do you mean the Oracle of Delphi? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pantagathus 0 Report post Posted June 9, 2006 Here's one jackrabbit that duped a bunch of folks: Alexander the False Prophet Kind of like the Jim Baker of the ancient world... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pertinax 3 Report post Posted June 9, 2006 "he met a most wretched end before reaching the age of seventy, in a manner that befitted a son of Podaleirius; for his leg became mortified quite to the groin and was infested with maggots. It was then that his baldness was detected " oh dear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ursus 6 Report post Posted June 9, 2006 Indeed. I could stand being infested with maggots and having flies crawl out my manhood. But to have baldness on top of that would be disconcerting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dodge 0 Report post Posted June 9, 2006 Thanks for the help folks. Alexander the false prophet makes for a very interesting read! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pantagathus 0 Report post Posted June 9, 2006 (edited) Alexander the false prophet makes for a very interesting read! It really does, I was first intrigued by his crazy story when I read about it in The Ancient Mysteries: A Sourcebook Saw this post and figured it was a good example (even though he did it for non-political, indulgent reasons) Edited June 9, 2006 by Pantagathus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caldrail 152 Report post Posted June 10, 2006 Caldrail do you mean the Oracle of Delphi? I honestly don't know where it was. I saw a report of a cave system and one archaeologist had figured out that it was being used as a sort of 'augury theme park' by duping visitors into believing they were travelling deep into the underworld - with a steep entry price of course! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lost_Warrior 0 Report post Posted June 10, 2006 Oh, I see. I've never heard of that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites