The Roman Imperial Mausoleum in Late Antiquity

Constructed between c.AD 244 and 450 and bridging the transition from paganism to Christianity within the empire, these important buildings shared a common design. Mark Johnson examines the symbolism and function of the mausolea, demonstrating that these monuments served as temples and shrines to the divinized emperors.

This book is the first comprehensive study of the mausolea of the later Roman emperors. Constructed between c.AD 244 and 450 and bridging the transition from paganism to Christianity within the empire, these important buildings shared a common design, that of domed rotunda. Mark Johnson examines the symbolism and function of the mausolea, demonstrating for the first time that these monuments served as temples and shrines to the divinized emperors. Through an examination of literary sources and the archaeological record, he identifies which buildings were built as imperial tombs. Each building is examined to determine its place in the development of the type as well as for its unique features within the group. Recognizing the strong relationship between the mausolea built for pagan and Christian emperors, Johnson also analyzes their important differences.