The first of August at Lugdunum: Astronomy and Imperial Cult in Galia

The longstanding debate about the interpretation of the Concilium Galliarum, celebrated at Lugdunum on Augusts 1st has been traditionally divided among those in favor of a ?Celtic? tradition and those advocating for a ?Roman? praxis. We advocate, following the works by Audin, that the study of the urban layout may shed light into this controversy.

We find that this Roman grid has a remarkable orientation consistent with the orientation towards the rising sun on days close to this festivity. Besides, the location of the main sanctuaries of the city, the municipal sanctuary devoted to the imperial cult, located close to the city center, and the Three Gaul sanctuary, situated on the other side of the river and off the city limits could also be interpreted in light of the attempts at the early Empire to include the Augustus and Rome cult even in areas with a strong pre-existent tradition, like the Gaul. In conclusion, we propose a midway for the debate with a stronger emphasis on the interaction between cultures.

Lugdunum. Imperial Cult. Roman City Orientation. Calendars. Celts.