noun /əˌpɒθ.iːˈəʊ.sɪs,əˌpɑː.θiˈoʊ.sɪs/
In Rome itself the official position was clear: the apotheosis of the emperor took place only after his death; this had to be officially recognized by the Senate, and only then did the emperor become a divus with an official cult.
b) Glorification, exaltation; crediting someone with extraordinary power or status.
As a former mortal who underwent apotheosis, Hercules was important to the emperors.
See Also: apotheosize
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