Abstract
The article discusses the institution of augustales in the Danube region (mostly Dacia). Augustales are the only collegium of this type documented in this province.
This is the consequence of the late and uneven romanisation of the area (cca 180-250). Ordo augustalium is clearly documented only from Sarmizegetusa (aedes augustalium) and from Napoca (magistri augustales).
Its members were rich freedmen for whom the position augustalis represented the top of their career. A great part of augustales came from the Orient (Asia Minor).
Exclusively Latin dedications to Roman (and some oriental) gods do not show that augustales pursued activities of religious character, even though most of augustales come from the centre of imperial cult in the Roman colonia of Sarmizegetusa. On the other hand, their donor activities proving their loyalty to the state and its ruler are very apparent.
Representatives of autochthones inhabitants have not been proved among augustales in Dacia.