Neokoros

Under the Roman Empire, the neocorate became a distinction awarded to cities that had built temples to the emperors or had established cults of members of the Imperial family.

[5] Over time, especially in Asia, the neocorate became more important, as it was assumed by local magnates; its holders made donations to the temple and tried to commemorate their term of office.

Neokoroi assumed epithets such as κράτιστος 'most mighty', while the title of 'chief neokoros' (ἀρχινεωκόρος) also appeared to distinguish the more senior members of the class.

[6] In the early Roman Empire, the title began to be used for entire cities, who thus were neokoroi of their patron deities, such as Ephesus with Artemis.

[7] The Greek cities of the East were awarded the title of neokoros by the Roman Senate, with the consent of the emperor, in token of their having built an imperial cult temple recognized as of province-wide significance.