Osječki zbornik, Vol. Vol. 27 No. xx, 2004.
Original scientific paper
Lead votive plaques of the Danube-basin riders from the museum of Đakovo collection
Ivo Pavlović
; Muzej Đakovštine Đakovo
Abstract
In the surrounding area of Đakovo three votive plaques have been found that depict the content of a mystical cult of the Danube-basin riders.
1 Lead votive plaque ( pictures la-b), Strbinci by Đakovo ( ancient Certissia ). Size: height 8,80 cm, width 7,50 cm, thickness 0,20 cm, weight 126,66 g. A smaller part on its lower left side, rectangular, the upper rounded tympanum-formed side.
2 Lead votive plaque, a fragment, drenjski Slatinik by Đakovo ( pictures 2a-b). Size: height 8,80 cm, width 8,00 cm, thickness 0,20 cm, weight 80,86 g. Upper gable ending is missing together with one third of the main symbolic imagery medaillion.
3 Lead votive plaque, Drenjski Slatinik by Đakovo ( pictures 3a-b). A smaller upper part of the upper straight pillar and arch. Rectangular, size: height 7,80 cm, width 7,50 cm, thickness 0,20 cm, weight 101,23 g. The Đakovo votive plaques imageries are devided into three or four zones that are interpreted as symbols of supernatural and earthly, subterranean world with a semi-zone between them, clearly separated and visible on the plaque nr. 2 ( picture 3 ) from Drenjski Slatinik, which is characterized by three connected scenes: a ram sacrifice, a feast and a nude young man.
The scene of a ram sacrifice that ensured cyclic birth and fertility is the most significant among them. Heavenly world is depicted in the uppermost zone. The Strbinci plaque ( picture 1 ) depicts it in busts of Solo and Luna in a celestial triad, the third member of the trinity is depicted in a cantharos and two heraldically set snakes. Firmament on the plaque nr. 2 from Drenjski Slatinik (picture 3) is depicted through Solo on a quadriga without the image of Luna and snakes outside aediculla and with cantharos in the lowest zone. Such arrangement confirms that regardless of symbolic sense and meaning there is no unique scheme or arrangement of the elements depending on plaque types and spacial arrangement. Snakes as symbols of evil are shown in the lowest zone, the symbol of the underworld whereas on theses plaques they take up the position in the upper zone surrounding heavenly symbols. There are a snake triad and solar busts with astral character, which is the expression of dualistic concept where powers of evil and good are often depicted by the similar element. This world placed in the zone underneath is depicted in all plates in similar way with a goddess placed
between two riders that could present gods or halfgods but in any way are inferior to the main goddess with whom they complete the main symbolics of the presented cult. The captives i.e. the nude male figures as symbols of evil are inferior to the riders. A warrior and a female dressed in a long chiton that can be seen well on the plaques from Drenjski Slatinik are always depicted after a rider. A female figure behind the rider to the right is thought to be the goddess Nemesis who plays an important accompanying role in the Danube-basin riders cult and mystery.
Her hand to the mouth recommends silence and temperance symbolizing justness and mysteriousness of the cult. She identifies with the goddess of silence who keeps the ritual secret and cares about balance in nature and is present at places where unjustice is done, where evil turns into good and vice-versa, since she can change the course of fate. In time of synchretism turning into universal deity, related to Cybele, Adastreia and Isis. The bottom zone, i.e. the fourth zone items are symbols of the underworld and have the meanings that are connected to the cult itself and its mystical content.
Some figures can be connected to the elements taken over from Mithras religion. A lion is a symbol of fire, a snake of earh, cantharos of water, a rooster.of the underworld, of mystical cult. The rooster's calling calls for the good and drives away evil powers, helps the souls of the dead to reach the gods. It was used for the first time about 3000 years BC in Eastern religions and was taken over into the Greek and Roman mythology to be dedicated to Helios, Hermes, Asclepius. A three-legged stand with gifts such as fish or bread stands for altar to offer sacrifices to the godly triad.
Lead votive plaques from Drenjski Slatinik and Strbinci have supplemented current finds of this kind as a special, separate group of archaeological objects significant for the research of a mystical cult called 'the Danube-basin riders cult'. Tjis cult could have dominated the area of more concentrated finds along the Danube limes, which can be explained by transference of Roman legions from the East to the Danube-basin provinces, contributing to the spreading and forming of that, basically orinetal cult. In the time of Nero the legion VIII Augusta reached Maesia, in the year 71 the legion XV Apollinaris reached Pannonia.
Lead plaques have been found different sites and the majority of authors agrees upon the presumption that they preceded monotheism in course of religious synchretism and are the evidence of immortality of
souls and resurrection, the belief that had had its place not only in Mithras religion but also in the Danube-basin riders cult.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
163547
URI
Publication date:
6.12.2004.
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