Saeculum: The Evolution of a Roman Concept into the Modern Secular
The word secular is a common part of our modern vocabulary, typically used to describe things that are not religious or spiritual. However, the origin of this term lies in the ancient Roman concept of the saeculum, a measurement of time that was deeply intertwined with destiny, politics, and the lifespan of a civilization.
The Original Meaning of Saeculum
In its earliest sense, a saeculum was not a fixed number of years. Instead, it represented the span of time from a significant event—such as the founding of a city—until every person who was alive at that initial moment had passed away. Once the last witness to the original event died, a new saeculum began.
This concept was often tied to mythology and divine will. Legend suggested that the gods assigned a specific number of saecula to every civilization. For instance, the Etruscans were believed to have been granted ten saecula.
The Roman Standardization and Imperial Power
By the 2nd century BC, Roman historians began utilizing the saeculum to organize their chronicles and track the progression of wars. During the reign of Emperor Augustus, the definition shifted from a biological lifespan to a fixed chronological period of 110 years.
In 17 BC, Caesar Augustus established the Ludi saeculares (saecular games) to celebrate the "fifth saeculum of Rome." By institutionalizing these games, Augustus sought to link the passage of time and the renewal of the saeculum with his own imperial authority.
Later emperors, including Claudius and Septimius Severus, continued to celebrate the passing of saecula with games, though these occurred at irregular intervals. In 248 AD, Philip the Arab merged the Ludi saeculares with the 1,000th anniversary of Rome's founding. This milestone marked the beginning of the saeculum novum (new saeculum).
From Imperial Glory to the Modern Secular
While Roman emperors used the saeculum to legitimize their political power by associating it with a golden age of glory, the term took on a different meaning with the rise of Christianity. The saeculum novum acquired a metaphysical connotation, referring to the worldly age.
Christian writers began to contrast the saeculum—defined as "this present world"—with the expectation of eternal life in the "world to come." This theological distinction shifted the meaning of the term toward the worldly and the temporal, eventually leading to the modern English adjective secular, meaning something belonging to the world and its affairs.
In the English language, "secular" can also describe something that happens once in an eon. Meanwhile, in Romance languages, the descendants of the Latin word generally mean a century (100 years), such as the French siècle, Spanish siglo, Italian secolo, Portuguese século, and Romanian secol.
Key Facts
- Original Definition: The time between a major event and the death of all people alive at that time.
- Augustan Standard: Emperor Augustus fixed the length of a saeculum at 110 years.
- Ludi saeculares: "Saecular games" used by emperors to link time and divine favor to imperial authority.
- Saeculum Novum: The "new saeculum" proclaimed in 248 AD during Rome's millennium.
- Etymological Shift: Transitioned from a Roman time period to a Christian distinction between the worldly and the eternal.
| Period/Context | Meaning of Saeculum | Key Association |
|---|---|---|
| Early Legend | Lifespan of a generation | Divine allotment to civilizations |
| Augustan Era | 110 years | Imperial authority and Ludi saeculares |
| Early Christianity | The present worldly age | Contrast with eternal life |
| Modern Romance Languages | 100 years (Century) | Standard chronological measurement |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long was a saeculum in ancient Rome?
While it originally referred to the lifespan of a generation, it was later standardized to 110 years during the reign of Emperor Augustus.
What were the Ludi saeculares?
The Ludi saeculares were "saecular games" organized by Roman emperors, starting with Augustus in 17 BC, to celebrate the passing of a saeculum and reinforce imperial legitimacy.
How did the meaning of saeculum change with Christianity?
Christian writers redefined the saeculum to refer to "this present world," contrasting the temporary nature of worldly affairs with the eternal life of the world to come.
What is the relationship between saeculum and the word "century"?
In Romance languages (such as French, Spanish, and Italian), the descendants of the Latin word saeculum evolved to mean a standard 100-year period, or a century.
Who was Philip the Arab in the context of the saeculum?
Philip the Arab was the emperor who, in 248 AD, combined the Ludi saeculares with the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of Rome, ushering in the saeculum novum.