Ludi Saeculares of Septimius Severus

Jussi Rantala is a researcher at the University of Tampere, Finland. His main research interests include questions of religion, ritual, representation, identity and historiography in the Roman Empire.

• 1. IntroductionThe TaskThe EvidenceThe InscriptionSeveran LiteratureNumismatic EvidenceSeverus, the Ludi and the StudiesThe Ludi SaecularesThe Severan period2. From the Antonine Era to the Severan Dynasty3. Organising the Ludi SaecularesTowards the New EraFunding the FestivalsPurifying the Holy Grounds4. The Opening Night and DayThe Rituals of the First NightA Quest for a Happy DestinyThe Witness of the VestalsPacifying the GodsRites of the Opening Day: The God and his ServantThe Father(s) of RomeDivine Severus?5. Day Two: Women take the StageThe Second Night: A Prelude?The Second Day: Celebrating JunoMother(s) of the Golden AgeImperial ConcordiaThe Vestals stand StillHonouring the New Age6. The Third Night and Day: The Empire of the Sun and the MoonA Night of AbundanceThe Goddess of CultivationFood and Imperial PaternalismGuardians of StorageThe Third Day: Final SacrificesApollo, the God of many RolesDiana, the Goddess of many RolesWritten in the Stars7. Closing Acts: The Carmen Saeculare and the Trojan GamesA Hymn for the Golden AgeThe Severan Poem and its PerformersThe New Leaders of the CommonwealthCities, Shores, and Golden FieldsBlessings for the ArmyThe Trojan Games8. ConclusionAppendix 1: The Inscription commemorating Septimius Severus’ Ludi SaecularesAppendix 2: Records of the Severan Ludi SaecularesAppendix 3: The Rituals of the Ludi Saeculares of CE 204Appendix 4: The History of the Ludi Saeculares

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