Imperial Cults looks at the role of religious institutions in shaping imperial authority in Ancient China and Rome. By examining the changes made by rulers of each state, Emperor Wu of Han and Octavian Augustus, in Rome, it demonstrates that both rulers reshaped their respective religious institutions in order to consolidate both religious and political authority.

1. Introduction 2. Transitions to Empire in Early China and Rome 3. State Cult in Early China and Rome 4. Reshaping Religious Institutions 5. Expanding Influence 6. Communicating Imperial Authority 7. Redefining Ceremony 8. Conclusion Bibliography

"In a trailblazing comparative study that casts new light on the workings of the Han and Roman empires, Robinson compellingly analyzes how two of the most powerful rulers of the ancient world remade religious institutions to support their grand political ambitions." - Walter Scheidel, Dickason Professor in the Humanities and Professor of History, Stanford University "Imperial Cults is a brilliant work of comparative history that makes a significant contribution to our knowledge of the complex nexus of religion, politics, order, knowledge, authority, and power in these two ancient empires at crucial moments in their respective projects of imperial consolidation." - Carlos F. Noreña, Professor of History, University of California, Berkeley "Imperial Cults makes its case in eight well-argued chapters... Highly recommended." -- Choice "Comparative history is a growing subfield of world history, within which comparative studies of Han China and Rome are particularly notable. Imperial Cults is an innovative contribution to this scholarship. Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty." -- Choice "It is impressive to have mastered two separate bodies of source material and scholarly historiographies, and the bibliography here is suitably expansive." -- James Corke - Webster, Greece & Rome "[Robinson] has succeeded in producing a thoughtful and well-researched book that does indeed open up new perspectives and pose new questions.... [A] well-constructed and stimulating study." -- Bryn Mawr Classical Review "The book reveals how ancient empires consolidated their rule through the interaction of religion and politics during their formation and provides a new perspective for understanding the complexity and diversity of ancient civilizations. Much recommended." -- Ziqiang Zhao, Religious Studies Review "The book's style is clear and readable, and the argument is easy to follow." -- Goran /Dur/devi'c, Classical Review

Selling point: Brings the topic of religion into larger discussion of political authority in the ancient world Selling point: Allows readers to explore similarities and differences between Roman and Chinese religion Selling point: Employs a comparative methodology