05-24-2006, 12:02 AM
Theodosius' coin inscriptions go: DN THEODOSIVS P F AVG = "Dominus Nostre (Our Lord) Theodosius Pius (dutiful) Felix (fortunate) Augustus." P F is also sometimes translated "Perpetuus Felici", so P F could mean "ever fortunate."
So "Lord" (Dominus or Domine) continued in use well into the Christian period, and does not seem to have conveyed divinity, but just a higher station or rank.
A quick check of inscriptions on record from the time of Theodosius indicates "Our ever-victorious, eternal master the Augustus" seems to be a nearly universal way of referring to the emperor, no matter who he may be.
Other honorific epephets of the Late Roman era include illuster, spectabilis, honoratus, clarissimus, perfectissimus, and my favorite, egregius.
So "Lord" (Dominus or Domine) continued in use well into the Christian period, and does not seem to have conveyed divinity, but just a higher station or rank.
A quick check of inscriptions on record from the time of Theodosius indicates "Our ever-victorious, eternal master the Augustus" seems to be a nearly universal way of referring to the emperor, no matter who he may be.
Other honorific epephets of the Late Roman era include illuster, spectabilis, honoratus, clarissimus, perfectissimus, and my favorite, egregius.
T. Flavius Crispus / David S. Michaels
Centurio Pilus Prior,
Legio VI VPF
CA, USA
"Oderint dum probent."
Tiberius
Centurio Pilus Prior,
Legio VI VPF
CA, USA
"Oderint dum probent."
Tiberius
