Ș. Cristea, C. Timoc, E. de Sena (eds.), Africa, Egypt and the Danubian Provinces of the Roman Empire. Population, Military and Religious Interactions (2nd-3rd centuries AD) , 2021
Dacia, which became a Roman province in AD 106, offers an interesting glimpse into the nature of ... more Dacia, which became a Roman province in AD 106, offers an interesting glimpse into the nature of public and private religion of the empire in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. Although much work has been conducted on the Isiac cults in Dacia, new evidence and new ideas demand a new approach. 17 pieces related to the Isiac cults originate from Sarmizegetusa and its initial territory, which included Apulum and Micia. Special attention is given to the Serapeum built in the praetorium procuratoris of Sarmizegetusa under Caracalla and to the important inscriptions uncovered here. Inscription no. 7 is of special interest because it seems to contain exhortations for the initiation into the cult of Isis, which provides a parallel to Book XI of Apuleius’ Metamorphoses. Our analysis demonstrates a strong link between the Isiac cults and the imperial cult, which does not contradict the reality of the great popularity of these cults among all social groups.
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