Histria antiqua, Vol. 21 No. 21, 2012.
Original scientific paper
Some Epigraphic Evidence of Navigation and of the Veneration of Water Divinities in Upper Moesia
Naser FERRI
; Universiteti i Prishtinës Instituti Albanologjik 10000 Prishtinë, Kosovë Rruga Eqrem Qabej p.n.
Abstract
The Roman imperial fleet (Classis Praetoria Missenatum and Classis Praetoria Ravennatum) was supplemented
by minor fleets based in the Empire’s provincial centres on the banks of large rivers. The Classis Flavia Pannonica, a
fluvial fleet, controlled the River Sava and Upper Danube to Singidunum, while the Lower Danube was controlled
by Classis Flavia Moesica, based in Viminacium, the capital of the province of Moesia.
There is epigraphic evidence of the presence of the Roman imperial provincial fleet in the Upper Moesia. An
inscription observed on a monument from Naissus mentions discens epibeta, which was a soldier of the Legio VII
Claudiae in the service of the Danube fleet. An inscription discovered in Viminacium mentions quinquennalis collegii
nautarum, a member of the collegiums nautarum (in the service of the Lower Danube fleet), which provided military
units with food and other necessities.
In addition to epigraphic evidence of members of the Roman imperial fluvial fleet in Viminacium, there are also
preserved epigraphic votive monuments dedicated to Neptune and Matris deum. This speaks of the worship of
Neptune and the presence of temples dedicated to this divinity.
Although there are no major bodies of water, and rivers are only partially navigable or not navigable at all in the
south of the province (the area of what was once Dardania), preserved epigraphic evidence of the veneration of sea
divinities has been discovered. Thus, votive monuments dedicated to Neptune have been found in the area between
the Ibra, Sitnica and Ljušte rivers, the area of the municipium of Ulpiana (by the River Drin) and the municipium
of Dardanorum. Two epigraphic monuments and possible remains of a temple dedicated to the supreme Syrian
goddess Atargatis (in the shape of a mermaid), better known as Dea Syria, have been found in the territory of the
colony of Scupa, where the two modern-day rivers, the Vardar and Treska, are no longer navigable. Apart from the
Upper Moesia, the veneration of Atargatis has also been confirmed in Dalmatia and Dacia. In addition, a votive
monument dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis has been found (among the architectural remains of a temple) by
the River Drin near Klina in the vicinity of Peć in modern Kosovo (the territory of the ancient Ulpiana). It has been
attested that Isis was, among others, the patroness of sailors. A fragmented Roman relief monument with a dolphin
depicted on it, has been discovered near Suva Reka, on the road between Pristina and Prizren.
Based on epigraphic evidence, we can conclude that numerous military and other supporting vessels of the Legio
VII Claudiae and the Legio IV Flaviae were present on the navigable rivers in the territory of the Upper Moesia from
the 1st to the 4th centuries AD. These vessels patrolled, observed, transported troops, executed military tasks and
supplied the army and possibly also the civilian population. In addition, divinities linked with the sea, rivers and
sailors were venerated in the south of the province.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
102441
URI
Publication date:
1.8.2012.
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