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https://doi.org/10.17234/RadoviZHP.51.10
The Cult of Jupiter Heliopolitanus in Siscia (Summary)
Tea Fumić
Sažetak
The cult of Jupiter Heliopolitanus spread from ancient Heliopolis, modern day Baalbek in Lebanon, to the western provinces of the Roman Empire in the first half of the 2nd century. The cult image of the god is known only from the Roman Imperial period, for there are no depictions dating to the period before the first half of the 1st century B. C. Siscia is known to have been popular with “Orientals”, and many found their new home in this Pannonian transportation and trade hub. Evidence of the cults of Mithra, Cybele, Attis, Isis, Serapis, Jupiter Amon and the Thracian horseman have all been found here in both epigraphic sources and archaeological materials. One monument, the altar of the beneficiarius consularis Lucius Virilius Pupus, testifies to the cult of Jupiter Heliopolitanus in Siscia. At the end of the votive inscription, the dedicant specified that pigs are not to be sacrificed on this altar. Such a formula is unique when it comes to epigraphic sources. This altar is the only known monument from the Roman Imperial period on which we find a ban on sacrificing pigs. It is also the only monument that provides certain information about the practices of the cult of Jupiter Heliopolitanus. The prohibition against pigs and pig taboos are well known to have been widespread among the people of “Oriental” origin at that time. Pigs were considered impure, both literally and symbolically. Since we know very little about the rituals and cult practices of the Heliopolitan cult, this information raises the question of whether this “Oriental” tradition was an official cult policy. If it was, what would it mean in terms of determining the “oriental” in “oriental” cults? Was the cult of Jupiter Heliopolitanus more “Roman” in nature? This paper aims to contribute to solving the problem of continuity of “Oriental” cults and reinterpreting the process of Romanization of deities of “Oriental” origin.
Ključne riječi
Jupiter Heliopolitanus; Siscia; “Oriental” cults; altar; inscription; pig taboo; authenticity
Hrčak ID:
236003
URI
Datum izdavanja:
16.12.2019.
Posjeta: 1.411 *