GLI EDIFICI DEGLI AUGUSTALI IN ITALIA - REVISIONE CRITICA DEI MATERIALI E DELLA DOCUMENTAZIONE EPIGRAFICA

Abstract

This paper reconsiders the identification of municipal sanctuaries and meeting places associated with the Augustales. No specific architectural type defines the imperial cult centre; structures show characteristics similar to those of private houses, professional guildhalls and public religious buildings. Epigraphic evidence therefore plays an essential role in confirming or denying the identification of a building's function. Inscriptions help to correct widespread misidentifications of a whole series of buildings, so that structures which on a typological base were previously assigned to the Augustales can be now proved to have had a different purpose. At the same time, epigraphic records allow us to identify a few additional monuments that quite certainly were used by this institution and to recognize some common traits which these complexes share. Two features particularly stand out. Firstly, the buildings are marked by the presence of two architectural centres: one served as a sanctuary, the other met collegial needs by providing spaces for conventions and banquets. Secondly, despite the variations in structural design, there seem to have been attempts to adhere to official models with regard to both architectural elements and decorative choices.