Cultic Priest Appointed for Divus Antoninus

The funeral of Antoninus was marked by elaborate ceremonies, reflecting the customs of Roman imperial funerals. Following the practices established by his predecessors, Antoninus's body was likely cremated on a pyre at the Campus Martius, a significant location in Rome known for its association with public events and ceremonies. The cremation was a symbolic act, believed to facilitate the ascent of his spirit to the heavens, where it would join the ranks of the gods. This belief in deification was a common practice among Roman emperors, reinforcing their status and legacy. Following his death, his sons, Marcus and Lucius, took the initiative to nominate their father for deification, a proposal that received no opposition from the Senate. This act not only honored Antoninus but also solidified the political and familial ties within the ruling class, as the deification of emperors was a means of legitimizing their rule and maintaining the continuity of the imperial lineage.