Editing Religion in ancient Rome (section)

==== Eastern Influence ====
[[File:Bellerophon, Pegasus, and Athena.jpg|thumb|[[Bellerophon]], [[Pegasus]], and [[Athena]] ([[Minerva]]), fresco of the 3rd style from Pompeii, first half of the 1st century]]
Under the rule of Augustus, there existed a deliberate campaign to reinstate previously held belief systems amongst the Roman population. These once held ideals had been eroded and met with cynicism by this time.<ref>{{Cite book|last=McLaughlin, Raoul|title=Rome and the distant East : trade routes to the ancient lands of Arabia, India and China|date=2010|publisher=Continuum|isbn=978-1-4411-6223-6|location=London|oclc=667274301}}</ref> The imperial order emphasized commemoration of great men and events which led to the concept and practice of divine kingship. Emperors postceding Augustus subsequently held the office of Chief Priest (pontifex maximus) combining both political and religious supremacy under one title.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Roberts |first=J. M. (John Morris) |title=History of the world|date=1993|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-521043-9|location=New York|oclc=28378422}}</ref>