Why did Augustus become Pontifex Maximus?

Augustus as pontifex maximus. The pontifex maximus was not a real magistrate: he did not serve for a fixed period but for life, and he remained, officially, a citizen. As the title suggests, the pontifex maximus was 'the greatest' or chairman of the college of the pontifices, 'priests'. read more

Pontifex Maximus - Wikipedia. Before Augustus, the office of Pontifex Maximus was held by Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, one of the Second Triumvirate (along with Augustus and Mark Anthony). Lepidus was probably the weakest Triumvir, falling out of the power contest and sent into exile. read more

The word "pontifex" and its derivative "pontiff" later became terms used for Christian bishops, including the Bishop of Rome, and the title of "Pontifex Maximus" was applied within the Catholic Church to the Pope as its chief bishop and appears on buildings, monuments and coins of popes of Renaissance and modern times. read more

Augustus took the office of pontifex maximus in 12 B.C. as part of his program of restoring the religion of the Republic. Some historians have considered this as merely keeping up appearances, but there was a very real accomplishment by Augustus in this regard. read more