Later, the Julian-Claudian emperors required their subjects to do the imperial cult. Citizens had the civic obligation to worship the Divine Julius, Augustus, and Roma with the burning of incense and public spectacles. This was how they expressed loyalty to the emperor and Rome.
There was also disenchantment with the traditional pagan religions. Rituals associated with the worship of the gods failed to satisfy the needs of those who were awakened to greater individuality. Philosophers queried on the reality or relevance of the official gods. This vacuum caused by dissatisfaction was filled in some measure by the various philosophies of the day, which provided both all-embracing worldview and practical advice on the well-ordered life. Found in some of these philosophies were very lofty values of humanity and wisdom, values that would be naturally received in Christianity. Other pagans, however, found philosophies too cerebral and looked for an assurance of immortality and place in the scheme of things in the various “mystery” or secretive religions coming especially from the Eastern provinces. Included here were the Eleusian mysteries or the mystery cults associated with Iris and Osiris, Adonis, or Mithras.
