The cult of Sol in Ancient Rome (from ancient times to the reform of Elagabal)

Abstract

The Solar cult can be found in the religious beliefs of many peoples. In Rome, the worship of the sun has been recorded since ancient times, unfortunately, the ancient authors left us only scattered mentions. The Importance of the cult of Sol grew with the transformation of the system of control, under the influence of Hellenism and penetrating the Roman worldview Oriental cults. In the course of its evolution, the cult of Sol became the part of the imperial cult, allowing to justify the emperor’s increasing power. However, in the reign of the emperor of Elagabal the essence of the Roman Sol was perverted by the oriental rituals of the new official cult.