This book presents an up-to-date discussion of the Roman imperial cult (the divinization of the emperor) and its general importance in early Christianity and ancient Mediterranean religions. It features opening and closing essays by Karl Galinsky, a foremost authority on Roman history and culture. Thirteen other essays explore related aspects and draw on a wide variety of disciplinary perspectives, including theory, method, archaeology, epigraphy, and art. The authors are classicists, biblical and religious scholars, historians, and archaeologists, with expertise in various cultural milieus. Reflecting this spectrum of backgrounds and interests, the book addresses issues and phenomena covering a broad expanse of subjects, locations, and methodological concerns.The contributors are Jeffrey Brodd, Warren Carter, Nancy Evans, Steven J. Friesen, Karl Galinsky, James Constantine Hanges, Robin M. Jensen, James S. McClaren, Eric M. Orlin, Jonathan L. Reed, Daniel N. Schowalter,