Dan Deac
Babes-Bolyai University, Archaeology, Faculty Member
- Egyptology, Roman History, Archaeology, Egypt and the Near East, Greek Epigraphy, Ancient Glass, and 105 moreHellenistic and Roman Asia Minor, Graeco-Roman Egypt, Ancient numismatics (Archaeology), Epigraphy (Archaeology), Classical Archaeology, Classics, Papyrology, Latin Epigraphy, Archaeology of Roman Pannonia, Pre-Roman Dacia, Roman Egypt, Aegyptiaca in Italy, Egypt in tthe Roman world, Archaeology of Religion, Roman Dacia (Archaeology), Isis Cult, Cults for Egyptian gods in the Aegean and Italy, Roman Dacia, Jupiter Dolichenus, Archaeology of Roman Religion, Ancient Egyptian Religion, Roman Religion, Ancient Religion, Collegia, Roman Epigraphy, Porolissum, Isis in the Roman world, Graeco-Roman Alexandria, Coptic (Archaeology), Roman Limes, Ancient History, Epigraphy, Roman Archaeology, Ptolemeu & Dacia în context ptolemeic (Ptolemy & Dacia in ptolemaic context), Romanian Archaeology, Roman Army, Römische Kaiserzeit, Roman Britain, Roman Imperial Coins, 25th Dynasty (Egyptology), Early Christianity, Moesia inferior, Isiac Religion, Isiac cults, Anthropology, Ancient economies (Archaeology), Archaeological Fieldwork, Hellenistic and Roman Fortifications, Brothel Archaeology, Statuete Egiptene, Near Eastern Archaeology, Egyptian Archaeology, Ancient History, Dacian Wars, Isis, Religion of Egypt, Sarapis, History of Judaism In Antiquity, Bible, Greco-Roman World, Qumran, Rabbinic Literature, History of Religions, Roman Pottery, Provincia Hispania Citerior, Instrumenta inscripta, Historical Geography, Dacian civilization, Roman Auxilia, Roman Circus, Orientalism and Religion, Amulets, Apulum, Egyptian ships, Roman Temples, Sanctuary/Temple and Cult, Graeco-Roman Religion, Greek and Roman Epigraphy, Ancient magic, Greek and Roman Social History, Roman Art, Instrumentum Inscriptum, Epigraphy on Instrumentum Domesticum, Roman Tools, Roman Africa, The Praetorian Guard, Reza Aslan, Dr. Visy Zsolt, Itinerarium Antonini, Gnosticism, Danubian Provinces of the Roman Empire, Egyptian scribes, Ancient lighting, Roman military equipment, Cassius Dio, Travel in the Ancient World, Roman Archaeology, Legions, Fortresses, Roman Lamps, Viaticum Militare, Fayum; Fayyum; Arsinoite nome, Caracalla, Egyptian language, Greek Oracles and Divination, Roman military history, and Roman Frontiers (Archaeology)edit
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This paper examines a representation of Jupiter – Ammon discovered in the central area of the Roman auxiliary fort from modern – day Călugăreni / Mikháza. Based on the preserved parts of the monument and since this is a stray find, the... more
This paper examines a representation of Jupiter – Ammon discovered in the central area of the Roman auxiliary fort from modern – day Călugăreni / Mikháza. Based on the preserved parts of the monument and since this is a stray find, the authors propose that, in terms of functionality, the fragment should be connected either to the principia or the praetorium of the fort. This piece of evidence of religious communication is important since such evidence is very slim in the above mentioned Roman settlement.
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Edition of two papyri from Heidelberg mentioning curatores, one a military official involved with soldiers' pay, the other likely operating in the civil realm.
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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,... 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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The paper examines the materiality of magic at Porolissum as revealed by the magical gems. An in depth analysis unfolds some facets of the magical practices performed in this important settlement of Roman Dacia.
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The present study analyzes two Isiac finds from the Roman settlement of Micăsasa. These two artifacts are ceramic medallions (médaillons d’applique) depicting Isis respectively Sarapis, each of them bearing on thebackside a Latin... more
The present study analyzes two Isiac finds from the Roman settlement
of Micăsasa. These two artifacts are ceramic medallions (médaillons
d’applique) depicting Isis respectively Sarapis, each of them bearing on thebackside a Latin graffito. Based on the new interpretation, the author identifies in the new reading of the graffiti the name of the craftsman who was the owner of these two ceramic medallions, an individual called Myrinus.
of Micăsasa. These two artifacts are ceramic medallions (médaillons
d’applique) depicting Isis respectively Sarapis, each of them bearing on thebackside a Latin graffito. Based on the new interpretation, the author identifies in the new reading of the graffiti the name of the craftsman who was the owner of these two ceramic medallions, an individual called Myrinus.
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This paper aims to make a rather short introduction into the scientific activity of Egyptologists in Romania who focused on the Egyptian collections, both private and public which were born trough the purchase on the black ”market”. The... more
This paper aims to make a rather short introduction into the scientific activity of Egyptologists in Romania who focused on the Egyptian collections, both private and public which were born trough the purchase on the black ”market”. The aegyptiaca finds coming from the archaeological excavations dating back to the Roman era are not the subject of this paper. It wants to be a state of the research or report if you will, of the numerous artifact of ancient Egyptian origin housed by different institutions of Romania that were published by now and to present the ones still waiting to be made known to the scientific community throughout the entire world.
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Studiul de față dorește să aducă la cunoștință interpretarea corectă a unei statuete reprezentându-l pe Osiris, descoperită cândva înainte de 1983 în timpul lucrărilor agricole de un locuitor din satul Iaz. Ulterior a fost publicată de... more
Studiul de față dorește să aducă la cunoștință interpretarea corectă a unei statuete reprezentându-l pe Osiris, descoperită cândva înainte de 1983 în timpul lucrărilor agricole de un locuitor din satul Iaz. Ulterior a fost publicată de preotul I. Câmpeanu în anul 1983 ca o redare a Isidei Patrona. Douăzeci de ani mai târziu, în 2003, S. Petrescu a republicat artefactul menționând că este vorba de o reprezentare a lui Osiris. În realitate avem de a face cu o ,,pseudo-ușabti”, cu redarea lui Osiris. Statuetele de tip ușabti apar în timpul Regatului Mijlociu fiind depuse în morminte în cutii de lemn, sarcofage sau sicrie. În timpul Regatului Nou ușabtiurile încep să fie puse în număr din ce în ce mai ridicat. În mod regulat numărul ușabtiurilor depuse era de 401, câte una pentru fiecare zi a anului (365) și 36 de supraveghetori (câte unul la fiecare zece muncitori). Scopul acestor servitori era să servească defunctul în cazul în care acesta trebuia să îndeplinească unele cerințe în Lumea de Apoi. Pe ele erau de obicei gravate incantații din Cartea Morților.
În perioada greco-romană acestea de regulă nu mai sunt inscripționate și sunt produse în număr mult mai redus, mai ales în zona centrelor cultice dedicate Isidei sau lui Osiris. Această statuetă reprezintă prima descoperire de acest fel făcută cu certitudine într-o așezare de pe teritoriul Daciei romane însă nu se poate afirma cu certitudine dacă a fost adusă dintr-un centru isiac puternic (ca suvenir) sau a fost produsă pe plan local, fiind o dovadă a unui cult al paredrei Isis-Osiris/ Sarapis în așezarea de la Tibiscum.
În perioada greco-romană acestea de regulă nu mai sunt inscripționate și sunt produse în număr mult mai redus, mai ales în zona centrelor cultice dedicate Isidei sau lui Osiris. Această statuetă reprezintă prima descoperire de acest fel făcută cu certitudine într-o așezare de pe teritoriul Daciei romane însă nu se poate afirma cu certitudine dacă a fost adusă dintr-un centru isiac puternic (ca suvenir) sau a fost produsă pe plan local, fiind o dovadă a unui cult al paredrei Isis-Osiris/ Sarapis în așezarea de la Tibiscum.
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This paper aims to present the Isiac community which evolved during the second and the third centuries A.D. in the coastal settlement of Callatis, on the western shores of the Black Sea. The author presents the findings, namely a marble... more
This paper aims to present the Isiac community which evolved during the second and the third centuries A.D. in the coastal settlement of Callatis, on the western shores of the Black Sea. The author presents the findings, namely a marble plaque with a Greek inscription, mentioning Hekateios, an Isiac follower, two cases of burials with mummifications (although one of them is questionable) with exquisite funerary inventory and numerous coins minted during the reigns of Commodus, Septimius Severus and Gordian III in the above mentioned polis. Put together, all this data suggests the fact that in Callatis must have existed a strong religious community adorning the goddess Isis, a community that was most probably formed by a wide variety of people, with different geographical origins and different social backgrounds and not necessarily coming from Egypt. This data suggests also the fact that the cult of Isis was public in Callatis (and highly likely of Sarapis, too) during the second part of the second century and during the third century, probably as a result of the supporting-policy of these cults by the Severian emperors. Last but not least the evidence show that in Callatis, like in near-by Tomis, a sanctuary/temple dedicated to Isis must have been erected during the Principate.
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The author of this paper aims to observe the importance of the recently rediscovered statue base with the Latin inscription informing about the presence of a professional organization, namely collegium, in the Roman town of Potaissa... more
The author of this paper aims to observe the importance of
the recently rediscovered statue base with the Latin inscription informing
about the presence of a professional organization, namely collegium, in the
Roman town of Potaissa (Dacia Porolissensis), created around the religious
manifestations dedicated to the goddess Isis. Based on analogies we will try to
comprehend the role of this collegium in daily life activities and also to analyze
the internal organization of the collegium Isidis, to which the inscription on the
statue base offers us a unique insight
the recently rediscovered statue base with the Latin inscription informing
about the presence of a professional organization, namely collegium, in the
Roman town of Potaissa (Dacia Porolissensis), created around the religious
manifestations dedicated to the goddess Isis. Based on analogies we will try to
comprehend the role of this collegium in daily life activities and also to analyze
the internal organization of the collegium Isidis, to which the inscription on the
statue base offers us a unique insight
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This paper aims to present three Egyptian statuettes of the shaubti (ushabti germ.) type found in the excavations of the Roman settlement of Aquincum (Pannonia Inferior). The first one is dated in the 26th Dynasty (also known as the... more
This paper aims to present three Egyptian statuettes of the shaubti (ushabti germ.) type found in the excavations
of the Roman settlement of Aquincum (Pannonia Inferior). The first one is dated in the 26th Dynasty (also known as the Saite Dynasty,
Inv. no. 6433) and is covered in dark green glaze in which rows of hieroglyphic scripts are inscribed recording usual sacred texts.
The second two are rather not sufficiently well preserved but can be dated roughly in Graeco-Roman period (Inv. no. 6434 and respectively
Inv. no. 6435).
of the Roman settlement of Aquincum (Pannonia Inferior). The first one is dated in the 26th Dynasty (also known as the Saite Dynasty,
Inv. no. 6433) and is covered in dark green glaze in which rows of hieroglyphic scripts are inscribed recording usual sacred texts.
The second two are rather not sufficiently well preserved but can be dated roughly in Graeco-Roman period (Inv. no. 6434 and respectively
Inv. no. 6435).
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The number of the findings from Porolissum which betray an Egyptian influence in the area are very scarce, to be more precise three bronze statuettes, a cameo and a possible ``lucerna``. Because of the fact that they were discovered in an... more
The number of the findings from Porolissum which betray an Egyptian influence in the area are very scarce, to be more precise three bronze statuettes, a cameo and a possible ``lucerna``. Because of the fact that they were discovered in an archaeological context (which is very rare with the aegyptiaca artifacts in Dacia Porolissensis) and because of the recent reinterpretations of some depictions which were linked with the Nilotic civilization this paper aims to create a new image of how these Egyptian-origin elements reached Porolissum, this Roman settlement on the fringes of the Empire.
This paper discusses a monument considered until now to be forgery and argues for the contrary. The monument was found in 1979 by N. Vlassa in the village called Miheşu de Câmpie, on the former domain of countess Kendeffy and it was used... more
This paper discusses a monument considered until now to be forgery and argues for the contrary. The monument was found in 1979 by N. Vlassa in the village called Miheşu de Câmpie, on the former domain of countess Kendeffy and it was used by a local villager as a support for its barn. Based on this and a formal analysis by the Egyptologist M. Ciho, from 1988 onwards this monument was considered to be a fake.
The most important argument that states the fact that this particular monument is not a modern forgery comes from the petrographical analysis conducted under the supervision of professor Corina Ionescu, Head of the Geology and Mineralogy Department of the Babeş- Bolyai University. This study concluded the fact that on the surface of the monument small holes are observed which form themselves only when this type of building material (in this case limestone), was buried in the ground for several hundreds of years. Most importantly, these inclusions are seen also on the surface of the incised characters on the monument, proving that the egyptianizing decoration on the surface of the monument was made also in the ancient times.
The next step was to find out what was its purpose and functionality. I consider very obvious the fact that this monument comes from the ancient city of Potaissa, in Dacia Porolissensis. That is because the material used, limestone, is from Cheia Baciului, northwest
of the ancient city of Napoca and approximately 30 km. away from Potaissa, and secondly because all other monuments found in Miheşu de Câmpie were coming from Potaissa (the modern village of Miheşu de Câmpie was probably in the teritorium of the city). We know the fact that in Potaissa existed a powerful community of Egyptian gods worshipers. They were even organized into a collegium for Isis. It is logical to suppose that they had a sanctuary or a temple in which they manifested their epiphany towards these cults. But what is most important is the fact that judging by the fact that in Rome and Beneventum there are obelisks in the temples of Isis, we can argue that we might have the
same situation in the case of Potaissa, too. The only difference is that this specific monument has an Egyptianizing decoration and not always real hieroglyphs and unlike the obelisks from Rome (Iseum Campense) and Beneventum (two smaller obelisks which stood in front of the entrance in the temple of Isis) this was probably attached on a wall
or, it was used as a relicviarium in the religious manifestations.
The most important argument that states the fact that this particular monument is not a modern forgery comes from the petrographical analysis conducted under the supervision of professor Corina Ionescu, Head of the Geology and Mineralogy Department of the Babeş- Bolyai University. This study concluded the fact that on the surface of the monument small holes are observed which form themselves only when this type of building material (in this case limestone), was buried in the ground for several hundreds of years. Most importantly, these inclusions are seen also on the surface of the incised characters on the monument, proving that the egyptianizing decoration on the surface of the monument was made also in the ancient times.
The next step was to find out what was its purpose and functionality. I consider very obvious the fact that this monument comes from the ancient city of Potaissa, in Dacia Porolissensis. That is because the material used, limestone, is from Cheia Baciului, northwest
of the ancient city of Napoca and approximately 30 km. away from Potaissa, and secondly because all other monuments found in Miheşu de Câmpie were coming from Potaissa (the modern village of Miheşu de Câmpie was probably in the teritorium of the city). We know the fact that in Potaissa existed a powerful community of Egyptian gods worshipers. They were even organized into a collegium for Isis. It is logical to suppose that they had a sanctuary or a temple in which they manifested their epiphany towards these cults. But what is most important is the fact that judging by the fact that in Rome and Beneventum there are obelisks in the temples of Isis, we can argue that we might have the
same situation in the case of Potaissa, too. The only difference is that this specific monument has an Egyptianizing decoration and not always real hieroglyphs and unlike the obelisks from Rome (Iseum Campense) and Beneventum (two smaller obelisks which stood in front of the entrance in the temple of Isis) this was probably attached on a wall
or, it was used as a relicviarium in the religious manifestations.
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This paper focuses on the study of the bull representations in Roman Dacia, more precisely the artifacts made out of bronze and limestone found in the Roman settlements of Porolissum, Bologa, Napoca, Potaissa and Orșova (ancient Dierna).... more
This paper focuses on the study of the bull representations in Roman Dacia, more precisely the artifacts made out of bronze and limestone found in the Roman settlements of Porolissum, Bologa, Napoca, Potaissa and Orșova (ancient Dierna). Until now all of them were considered to be iconographical depictions of the Egyptian Apis bull, the sunnaos theos found very often linked with the cults of Isis and Sarapis. The task of this initiative was to clarify once and for all which of them were indeed iconographic representations of the Apis bull and which of them were not. More than that the purpose was to dig even further into the matter and find out in which iconographic category fitted the ones who were initially ruled out as not being depictions of the Apis bull, finally arguing that the bull representations from Porolissum and Napoca are depictions of the Dolichean bull.
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This paper studies a particular bronze statuette found by accident in the Roman settlement of Potaissa, in Dacia Porolissensis, on the hill called by Téglás István Szindivölgy (Sând Valley peak in Romanian), in a Roman ``tower made out of... more
This paper studies a particular bronze statuette found by accident in the Roman settlement of Potaissa, in Dacia Porolissensis, on the hill called by Téglás István Szindivölgy (Sând Valley peak in Romanian), in a Roman ``tower made out of tiles``. Considered until now to be a depiction of an ``knelt Egyptian ``, with the aid of analogies from Egypt itself, I suggest that this artifact is a depiction of an Egyptian Pharaoh. Unfortunately, due to the relative standardization of this kind of depictions in Egyptian art and to other problems regarding the identifications of pharaohs on this kind of artifacts, we are not able to say for sure which one of the Pharaohs of Egypt it depicts. This statuette is particularly important because firstly, it is a representation of an Egyptian Pharaoh outside Egypt, and secondly it shows once again that the Egyptian influences in Potaissa were very strong here too.
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The present study aims to shed light on two new funerary monuments with the depiction of Iupiter- Ammon`s face between funerary lions as decorations on funerary rectangular crowning monuments discovered by the authors in Cluj- Napoca on... more
The present study aims to shed light on two new funerary monuments with the depiction of Iupiter- Ammon`s face between funerary lions as decorations on funerary rectangular crowning monuments discovered by the authors in Cluj- Napoca on Oașului str. (ancient Roman town of Napoca) and one as a decoration on the tomb of the former Romanian Prime Minister, Iuliu Maniu in Bădăcin village, near Șimleu Silvaniei (Sălaj County). Together with another monument of this kind found also in Napoca, the authors try to discuss the purpose of these monuments and the way these kind of decorations where perceived in the Roman world and particularly places like Dacia Porolissensis, on the fringes of the Roman Empire.
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Besides the many Roman artefacts from Aquincum, the Szekely National Museum preserves 3 pieces of Egyptian statuettes of Ushabti type, dating from the 27th Dynasty. donated to the Museum in 1916. 1. A mummy shaped statuette made of... more
Besides the many Roman artefacts from Aquincum, the Szekely National Museum preserves 3 pieces of
Egyptian statuettes of Ushabti type, dating from the 27th Dynasty. donated to the Museum in 1916.
1. A mummy shaped statuette made of earthenware, covered in dark green glaze, preserved in good condition,
with an inscription referring to the god Osiris on its surface (inv. no.6433);
2. A mummy shaped statuette made of earthenware, covered in dark green glaze, preserved in good condition
(Inv. no.6434)
3. A mummy shaped statuette carved from limestone, once covered in dark green glaze, with a broken
leg. (Inv. no.6435)
Egyptian statuettes of Ushabti type, dating from the 27th Dynasty. donated to the Museum in 1916.
1. A mummy shaped statuette made of earthenware, covered in dark green glaze, preserved in good condition,
with an inscription referring to the god Osiris on its surface (inv. no.6433);
2. A mummy shaped statuette made of earthenware, covered in dark green glaze, preserved in good condition
(Inv. no.6434)
3. A mummy shaped statuette carved from limestone, once covered in dark green glaze, with a broken
leg. (Inv. no.6435)
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Dieser Artikel ist der dritte Teil einer Serie von Forschungen, in denen die in der in Dacia Porolissensis auf Tongefäßen und andere Artefakte eingeritzten Graffiti präsentiert werden. Obwohl die meisten Graffiti unvollständig sind, wird... more
Dieser Artikel ist der dritte Teil einer Serie von Forschungen, in denen die in der in Dacia Porolissensis auf Tongefäßen und andere Artefakte eingeritzten Graffiti präsentiert werden. Obwohl die meisten Graffiti unvollständig sind, wird durch die Eigennamen das Corpus Onomasticum aus Porolissum erweitert.
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This epigraphic note analyses two Latin inscriptions on limestone plates which decorated statue bases. The two monuments were discovered during the last century at Samum (Cășeiu, Cluj County). Even if they are fragmentary, both can be... more
This epigraphic note analyses two Latin inscriptions on limestone plates which
decorated statue bases. The two monuments were discovered during the last century at Samum (Cășeiu, Cluj County). Even if they are fragmentary, both can be dated during the reign of Septimius Severus, thus doubling the number of dedications addressed to this emperor in the area of the northern frontier of Roman Dacia.
decorated statue bases. The two monuments were discovered during the last century at Samum (Cășeiu, Cluj County). Even if they are fragmentary, both can be dated during the reign of Septimius Severus, thus doubling the number of dedications addressed to this emperor in the area of the northern frontier of Roman Dacia.
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The current paper examines a series of evidence categorized as instrumenta inscripta, namely a lead weight and two litterae aureae discovered in the early 1980s during the archaeological excavations carried out in the principia of the... more
The current paper examines a series of evidence categorized as instrumenta inscripta, namely a lead weight and two litterae aureae discovered in the early 1980s during the archaeological excavations carried out in the principia of the Pomet hill fort at Porolissum/Moigrad (Romania), located in the north-western side of Roman Dacia. The newly analyzed artifacts shed new and exciting insights on the military life at Porolissum.
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Der Artikel ist der zweite Teil einer Reihe von Studien, die es zum Ziel haben die Graffiti der Provinz Dacia Porolissensis zu veröffentlichen. Es wird eine Inschrift auf der Rückseite einer Keramikmodel vorgestellt, die 1983 im... more
Der Artikel ist der zweite Teil einer Reihe von Studien, die es zum Ziel haben die Graffiti der Provinz Dacia Porolissensis zu veröffentlichen. Es wird eine Inschrift auf der Rückseite einer Keramikmodel vorgestellt, die 1983 im Amphitheater von Porolissum entdeckt wurde und dazu diente Medaillons eines auf einem Widder reitenden Merkur herzustellen. Das Graffito auf der Rückseite wird in Analogie zu Medaillons aus Cioroiul Nou und Micăsasa als Eigentumsvermerk des Handwerkers gedeutet. Zum besseren Verständnis des Fundstücks werden kurz einige Vergleichsbeispiele besprochen.
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Cette notice épigraphique publie une tessera militaris en bronze, de forme discoïdale, découverte en 1984 à Porolissum. L’inscription est réalisée en pointillé et fournit le nom du propriétaire, Muco, à savoir un anthroponyme thrace dont... more
Cette notice épigraphique publie une tessera militaris en bronze, de forme discoïdale, découverte en 1984 à Porolissum. L’inscription est réalisée en pointillé et fournit le nom du propriétaire, Muco, à savoir un anthroponyme thrace dont les occurrences ne sont pas très nombreuses. Il s’agit du premier témoignage certain sur la présence de soldats d’origine thrace à Porolissum. Cette modeste contribution est une partie d’une future monographie sur les « inscriptions mineures » à caractère militaire connues dans la province de Dacie.
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Deux témoignages épigraphiques latins de Porolissum, à savoir un anneau inscrit et un graffite sur céramique, livrent deux anthroponymes qui enrichissent le répertoire onomastique de facture sémitique de cet important centre militaire de... more
Deux témoignages épigraphiques latins de Porolissum, à savoir un anneau inscrit et un graffite sur céramique, livrent deux anthroponymes qui enrichissent le répertoire onomastique de facture sémitique de cet important centre militaire de la province de Dacie Porolissensis (Baras et Mocimus).
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The paper examines a previously published so-called ‘magic’ gem mounted in a twisted gold frame medallion, discovered in a burial site in 1973 at Durostorum, modern-day Silistra, Bulgaria. The author reappraises the reading of the text... more
The paper examines a previously published so-called ‘magic’ gem mounted in a twisted gold frame medallion, discovered in a burial site in 1973 at Durostorum, modern-day Silistra, Bulgaria. The author reappraises the reading of the text after a personal autopsy of the artifact, concluding that the gem was intended for protection against uterine pain, implying thus usage by a woman, assuming that the owner possessed to a certain degree some kind of ‘magic know-how’.
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New invasive archaeological investigations from the inner areas of the Roman fort from Orheiu Bistriţei conducted in the summer of 2019 have yielded thirteen pottery vessels with graffiti. The inscribed texts discovered at Orheiu... more
New invasive archaeological investigations from the inner
areas of the Roman fort from Orheiu Bistriţei conducted in the
summer of 2019 have yielded thirteen pottery vessels with graffiti.
The inscribed texts discovered at Orheiu Bistriţei are, without
exception, written in Latin and were incised after the pots were fired
(post cocturam). Generally, these depict the name of the owner with
one exception, which might depict a number.
areas of the Roman fort from Orheiu Bistriţei conducted in the
summer of 2019 have yielded thirteen pottery vessels with graffiti.
The inscribed texts discovered at Orheiu Bistriţei are, without
exception, written in Latin and were incised after the pots were fired
(post cocturam). Generally, these depict the name of the owner with
one exception, which might depict a number.
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Cette étude publie un graffite votif, trouvé dans le camp auxiliaire de Romita (Dacie Porolissensis). Du graffite, incisé avant cuisson (ante cocturam) sur un vase de grandes dimensions, ne subsistent que deux lignes d’une dédicace à... more
Cette étude publie un graffite votif, trouvé dans le camp auxiliaire de Romita (Dacie Porolissensis). Du graffite, incisé avant cuisson (ante cocturam) sur un vase de grandes dimensions, ne subsistent que deux lignes d’une dédicace à Liber Pater, sur un seul fragment. Ce premier graffite votif identifié avec certitude en Dacie Porolissensis apporte en outre la première attestation épigraphique de l’épithète Frugifer pour Liber Pater, qui s’explique convenablement dans le contexte militaire lié à l’approvisionnement de l’armée.
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L’article contient la relecture et une nouvelle interprétation de trois inscriptions de Dacie Porolissensis, significatives pour la connaissance de l’histoire militaire et des communautés de cette province. Le no 1 a été dédié à I. O. M.... more
L’article contient la relecture et une nouvelle interprétation de trois inscriptions de Dacie Porolissensis, significatives pour la connaissance de l’histoire militaire et des communautés de cette province. Le no 1 a été dédié à I. O. M. Dolichenus par un Scr[ib(onius)? Fla?]vinus (?), tribun de l’une des deux cohortes milliariae, qui avait stationné dans le camp de Romita. On peut prendre en considération la cohors II Britannorum milliaria ou la cohors I Batavorum milliaria. Le no 2 a été dédié à Jebucu à I. O. M. pour le salut des deux empereurs, Septime Sévère et Caracalla, et du César Geta par les vicani d’un vicus, qu’on a du mal à identifier. Le no 3 a été dédié à Volkanus pour le salut du numerus Palmyrenorum Porolissensium sous le règne de Gordien (238–244). Le dédicant reste inconnu.
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This study starts with an analysis of the cult of Silvanus at Porolissum and its preserved religious materiality. The author draws attention on the devotees, who possess Semitic cognomina, highlighting once again the importance and impact... more
This study starts with an analysis of the cult of Silvanus at Porolissum and its preserved religious materiality. The author draws attention on the devotees, who possess Semitic cognomina, highlighting once again the importance and impact the Palmyrean group had in the local milieu. The evidence suggests the above mentioned materiality was reused from the precinct of a temple/sacralized space dedicated to the deity, as building material for the military fort placed on the Pomet hill. A similar scenario happened in the case of a still unidentified temple consecrated to Jupiter. In the wider context, reusing religious items extracted from temples as building material by the military is known from other examples, a common phenomenon for the last decades of Roman rule at Porolissum.
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The current article presents the main scientific results extracted from the Romans 1by1 platform. While the database has been technically documented before, the analyses, based on it, is introduced here for the first time. After gathering... more
The current article presents the main scientific results extracted from the Romans 1by1 platform. While the database has been technically documented before, the analyses, based on it, is introduced here for the first time. After gathering and structuring all the prosopographical information on all the people, attested epigraphically in Roman Moesia Inferior, Moesia Superior and Dacia, we are able now to present exhaustive statistics and a comprehensive overview, as well as to get relevant conclusions regarding the epigraphic habits of each province. The database and its purpose The paper is based on the results of a research project, which was carried out between October 2015 and September 2017 at the Babeș-Bolyai University from Cluj-Napoca (Romania). The goal of the project was to create a database for ancient population, in which all the known individuals dating from the Roman period (exhaustively up to the end of the 3 rd c. AD), from the provinces of Dacia and Moesia are recorded. The project aimed at employing new techniques and methodologies that come from other fields (i.e. computer science), in order to approach the study of ancient population in an innovative way, to ease the research, and to create an open access tool, available for the academic community. Being a research database based on a continuous work in progress, we have opted for two versions of the database: a) one which has a restricted access (login via personalized accounts), and which is used only by the research team, due to the fact, that it is continuously updated and reviewed; and b) the other one which is open access and represents the cleansed, standardized and user-friendly version of the first one. 1 The database has been documented before, 2 thus we will only schematically present its architecture and the metadata. The purpose of this article is to present the macro-analyses, resulted from the gathered data – as for the first time all the data, on all the people of these provinces, are structured and available in one place. No doubt, one of the most important advantages, in this case, is the creation of a prosopogra-phical corpus. The corpus can be freely used for scientific purposes by anyone interested in the field, as well as for educational purposes or for disseminating aspects related to ancient history in a wider sector of the public, in an accessible and friendly manner.
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The present study presents five artifacts coming from ancient Porolissum. The first artifact (no. 5) is the only one known so far to the scientific community. The authors demonstrate that the fragment of the feminine statue presents an... more
The present study presents five artifacts coming
from ancient Porolissum. The first artifact (no. 5) is
the only one known so far to the scientific community. The authors demonstrate that the fragment of the feminine statue presents an iconographic depiction of Nemesis-Fortuna. This statue was most likely the central cult piece in the sanctuary dedicated to Nemesis attached to the amphitheater of Porolissum. The other artifacts are the head of a limestone statue of Hercules (no. 6), a fragment of a high-relief panel representing Liber Pater (no. 7), a bronze statuette depicting Victoria (no. 8) from the sanctuary of Iupiter Dolichenus, and an inlaid applique on the blade of a weapon with a representation of Mars (no. 9), also discovered in the amphitheater of Porolissum.
from ancient Porolissum. The first artifact (no. 5) is
the only one known so far to the scientific community. The authors demonstrate that the fragment of the feminine statue presents an iconographic depiction of Nemesis-Fortuna. This statue was most likely the central cult piece in the sanctuary dedicated to Nemesis attached to the amphitheater of Porolissum. The other artifacts are the head of a limestone statue of Hercules (no. 6), a fragment of a high-relief panel representing Liber Pater (no. 7), a bronze statuette depicting Victoria (no. 8) from the sanctuary of Iupiter Dolichenus, and an inlaid applique on the blade of a weapon with a representation of Mars (no. 9), also discovered in the amphitheater of Porolissum.
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This paper presents a previously unpublished bronze statuette representation of Priapus. The artifact was discovered in the South-Western part of the settlement of Porolissum, in Dacia Porolissensis. Unfortunately, the precise... more
This paper presents a previously unpublished bronze statuette representation of Priapus. The artifact was discovered in the South-Western part of the settlement of Porolissum, in Dacia Porolissensis. Unfortunately, the precise archaeological context is unknown. In addition to presenting succinct description of the bronze statuette, this paper discusses the known finds of Priapus from the province of Dacia and suggests how they may have been used in public or private religious manifestations.
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In the present paper the authors deal with 25 epigraphic artifacts previously unpublished or published in a summarized manner. The artifacts come from Porolissum, Romita, Buciumi and Zalău. Out of the 25 inscriptions analyzed in the... more
In the present paper the authors deal with 25 epigraphic artifacts previously unpublished or published in a summarized manner. The artifacts come from Porolissum, Romita, Buciumi and Zalău. Out of the 25 inscriptions analyzed in the following pages, eleven come from Porolissum (no. 1-11), one grinder` bottom made out of andesite and inscribed on the sides comes from Buciumi (no 23) together with a fragment of a large statue base of an Imperial statue (no 24). Finally, a fragment of Roman pottery with a partial graffito inscribed comes from a settlement from Zalău (no 25) which was next to the frontier. The artifact in question altough previously published was never read satisfactory.
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Durch diesen wissenschaftlichen Ansatz, der als Tribut an die wissenschaftliche Laufbahn von Coriolan-Horațiu Opreanu dient, möchte der Autor 4 neue Beispiele für mit Graffiti markierte Artefakte im wissenschaftlichen Umlauf setzen. Es... more
Durch diesen wissenschaftlichen Ansatz, der als Tribut an die wissenschaftliche Laufbahn von
Coriolan-Horațiu Opreanu dient, möchte der Autor 4 neue Beispiele für mit Graffiti markierte Artefakte im wissenschaftlichen
Umlauf setzen. Es handelt um zwei Fragmente aus Keramik aus Romita-Certiae, einen Handgriff eines
Keramikgefäßes und ein Knochenstück aus Porolissum. Die vier neuen Beispiele von Graffiti bereichern das Repertoire
solcher Artefakte an der Nordgrenze des römischen Dacia entdeckt und bieten gleichzeitig neue Informationen zur
Prosopographie des genannten Bereichs.
Coriolan-Horațiu Opreanu dient, möchte der Autor 4 neue Beispiele für mit Graffiti markierte Artefakte im wissenschaftlichen
Umlauf setzen. Es handelt um zwei Fragmente aus Keramik aus Romita-Certiae, einen Handgriff eines
Keramikgefäßes und ein Knochenstück aus Porolissum. Die vier neuen Beispiele von Graffiti bereichern das Repertoire
solcher Artefakte an der Nordgrenze des römischen Dacia entdeckt und bieten gleichzeitig neue Informationen zur
Prosopographie des genannten Bereichs.
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This paper aims to present four artefacts discovered in the Roman settlement of Porolissum. One of them is an armour garniture decorated plaque (Ger. „Panzerbeschläge”) with a depiction of Mars previously published through a drawing... more
This paper aims to present four artefacts discovered in the Roman settlement of Porolissum.
One of them is an armour garniture decorated plaque (Ger. „Panzerbeschläge”) with a depiction of Mars
previously published through a drawing together with a comment suggesting a representation of Hercules.
The artefact was discovered in the courtyard next to the LM 3 building from the vicus militaris and based
on the archaeological context must be dated in the 3rd century AD. The second artefact is a sculptural
monument made out of limestone depicting Hercules, the Farnese type. It was found in the praetentura of
the fort of Porolissum, being most probably part of a sacrarium in one of the buildings of the fort. The third
monument which is a subject of this paper represents a marble statuette of Apollo?, found together with an
altar dedicated to the same deity somewhere behind the principia of the fort. Finally the fourth artefact is
represented by another marble statuette depicting Amor and Psyche. Unfortunately we do not possess any
bits of information regarding the exact place of discovery but the idea that it came from the Pomet hill
fort can be considered. Except for the first artefact, all the other three cannot be dated in a particular time
frame, which forces us to propose a very wide period, namely the 2nd–3rd centuries AD.
One of them is an armour garniture decorated plaque (Ger. „Panzerbeschläge”) with a depiction of Mars
previously published through a drawing together with a comment suggesting a representation of Hercules.
The artefact was discovered in the courtyard next to the LM 3 building from the vicus militaris and based
on the archaeological context must be dated in the 3rd century AD. The second artefact is a sculptural
monument made out of limestone depicting Hercules, the Farnese type. It was found in the praetentura of
the fort of Porolissum, being most probably part of a sacrarium in one of the buildings of the fort. The third
monument which is a subject of this paper represents a marble statuette of Apollo?, found together with an
altar dedicated to the same deity somewhere behind the principia of the fort. Finally the fourth artefact is
represented by another marble statuette depicting Amor and Psyche. Unfortunately we do not possess any
bits of information regarding the exact place of discovery but the idea that it came from the Pomet hill
fort can be considered. Except for the first artefact, all the other three cannot be dated in a particular time
frame, which forces us to propose a very wide period, namely the 2nd–3rd centuries AD.
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The present study aims to form an image of the names of places (toponymy) of Dacia Porolissensis in the current stage of research. Regarding the names of the military or civil settlements of the province, these can be categorized in two... more
The present study aims to form an image of the names of places (toponymy) of Dacia Porolissensis in the current stage of research. Regarding the names of the military or civil settlements of the province, these can be categorized in two groups: the first one is represented by the names attributed with certainty to different Roman settlements (for example the urban areas: Napoca, Potaissa, Porolissum) or the forts and adjacent civil settlements ( for example Ilișua/Arcobara; Cășeiu/Samum); the second category is represented by the Roman settlements of which the Roman name is uncertain being only deduced using epigraphic, cartographic or literary sources. These hypothesis were presented in the pages to follow. Finally the study took into consideration also the names of some regions (regio Ansamensium) or the hydrography of the landscape of Dacia Porolissensis, namely the rivers Mureș and Someș.
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: This paper aims to reevaluate the case of Marcus Ulpius Celerinus who served as a salariarius in the first Adiutrix legion stationed in the Roman settlement of Brigetio , in the province of Pannonia Inferior (modern day Szöny, district... more
: This paper aims to reevaluate the case of Marcus Ulpius Celerinus who served as a salariarius in the first Adiutrix legion stationed in the Roman settlement of Brigetio , in the province of Pannonia Inferior (modern day Szöny, district of Komarom, Hungary). Besides being a salariarius (a term which we will thoroughly discuss in the light of the new researches that were conducted), Marcus Ulpius Celerinus was also an inperprex of the Dacian tribes. With the help of epigraphy we will reexamine the monuments from which we posses bits of information regarding Celerinus and finally conclude the fact that he was not in the service of the Roman army as an interprex in the time of Caracalla when war broke out, but rather in the time of Septimius Severus` reign, being part of a mechanism involved in negotiating with the Dacian tribes on matters that elude us for the time being.
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J. M. Noguera Celdrán, A. Cánovas Alcaraz, , M. J. Madrid Balanza, I. Martínez Peris (eds.), Santuario de Isis y Serapis (Insula II) Molinete/Cartagena. Sanctuary of Isis and Serapis (Insula II). Barrio del Foro Romano. Proyecto integral... more
J. M. Noguera Celdrán, A. Cánovas Alcaraz, , M. J. Madrid Balanza, I. Martínez Peris (eds.), Santuario de Isis y Serapis (Insula II) Molinete/Cartagena. Sanctuary of Isis and Serapis (Insula II). Barrio del Foro Romano. Proyecto integral de recuperación y conservación/Roman Forum District. Recovery and Conservation, 2019, 172 pp. ISBN 978-84-17865-13-9
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Duckworth (C.N.), Wilson (A.) (edd.) Recycling and Reuse in the Roman Economy. Pp. xxviii + 478, b/w & colour figs, b/w & colour ills, b/w & colour maps. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020. Cased, £100, US$130. ISBN: 978-0-19-886084-6
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Ted Kaizer (ed.): Religion, Society, and Culture at Dura-Europos. Cambridge/New York: Cambridge University Press 2016 (Yale Classical
Studies 38). XXII, 310 p., 64 ill. £ 70.99. ISBN: 978-1-107-12379-
3.
Studies 38). XXII, 310 p., 64 ill. £ 70.99. ISBN: 978-1-107-12379-
3.
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Donald Malcolm Reid, Contesting Antiquity in Egypt. Archaeologies, Museums & the Struggle for Identities from World War I to Nasser, The American University in Cairo Press, Cairo- New-York, 2015, 491 p.
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Branislav Anđelković, Nicoleta Demian, Colecția de antichități egiptene a Muzeului Banatului din Timișoara/ The Collection of Egyptian Antiquities in the Museum of Banat in Timișoara, Bibiotheca Historica et Archaelogica Banatica LVIII,... more
Branislav Anđelković, Nicoleta Demian, Colecția de antichități egiptene a Muzeului Banatului din Timișoara/ The Collection of Egyptian Antiquities in the Museum of Banat in Timișoara, Bibiotheca Historica et Archaelogica Banatica LVIII, Ancart Publishing House, Timișoara 2016, 135 p.
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Florin Fodorean, The Topography and the Landscape of Roman Dacia, BAR International Series 2501, (Oxford, 2013), 147 p.
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The town of Zalău is located at the foot of the Meseș Mountains, on the course of the Zalău River. The Ortelec neighborhood (a former village, currently a component part of the city of Zalău) developed along the Ortelec valley. The... more
The town of Zalău is located at the foot of the Meseș Mountains, on the course of the Zalău River. The Ortelec neighborhood (a former village, currently a component part of the city of Zalău) developed along the Ortelec valley. The archaeological site at the “Cetate/Dealul Bisericii” point is located on a high terrace guarding the Ortelec valley, near the Meseș Gate. The archaeological research carried out in 2022-2023 (4957, 89 sqm) had as its main objective the rescue of archaeological remains on the surface on which a funeral chapel is to be built, followed by expansion of the Orthodox cemetery in use and the completion of scientific
data about this archaeological site. As a result of these archaeological excavations, 339 archaeological features were identified and researched in several historical stages of habitation: the Eneolithic (16 archaeological features), the Bronze Age (9 archaeological features), the Roman Imperial
Period (80 archaeological features), the Early Middle Ages (234 archaeological features).
data about this archaeological site. As a result of these archaeological excavations, 339 archaeological features were identified and researched in several historical stages of habitation: the Eneolithic (16 archaeological features), the Bronze Age (9 archaeological features), the Roman Imperial
Period (80 archaeological features), the Early Middle Ages (234 archaeological features).
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During the campaign of 2023, the surface called S3A-B/2021 was re-opened, in the Eastern half of the researched area, between S1/2018 and S2/2020. The results confirmed the two Eastern substructure bases of the tetrapylon and the wideness... more
During the campaign of 2023, the surface called S3A-B/2021 was re-opened, in the Eastern half of the researched area, between S1/2018 and S2/2020. The results confirmed the two Eastern substructure bases of the tetrapylon and the wideness of the entrance in the principia, but also contributed to the general stratigraphy of the area.
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Cupcea G., Marcu F., Bucurenciu C., Ciocan E., Tivadar M., Deac D., Ciobanu C., Zimmermann M., Brusturi, com. Creaca, jud. Sălaj, Punct: Castrul roman auxiliar (la Ruine) tetrapylon – principia, in Cronica Cercetărilor Arheologice din România (Campania 2021), București-Oradea 2022, p. 71-74, no. 13.more