Folia archeologica 22.

Tóth István: Adatok a pannóniai keleti kultuszok történetéhez

DATA TO THE HISTORY OF EASTERN CULTS IN PANNÓNIA Two stone altars from the Roman period are published here for the first time. 1. Tokod (Pannónia inferior): [I (ovi)] o(ptimo) m

(aximo

) / Dulcetio / prn salute / Jmp(eratoris) Sev(eri) /

3 Alexan / driAng(usti) / / Kornau

] и / s / [? v. s. l. т.] The reading of the fragmentary parts is certain except for the last line. The altar was erected between A. D. 222 and 235 dedicated probably by a person of Oriental origin who was, in spite of his one name, most probably no slave or peregrine. The site lies alongside the road Aquincum to Brigetio and the altar might be brought in connection with the oriental religions cultivated in these two towns. As at Tokod vestiges of Roman period iron production were discovered, we may allude here to inscriptions of Dolichenus where the god is referred to as (natus

) tibi ferrum nascitnr or exoritur respectively. The altar of Tokod is the latest dated relic as yet known of the Iuppiter Dolichenus cult in Pannónia inferior. 2. Altar from an unknown site, probably Aquincum or its environment: 1(nvicto

) d(eo) M(ithrae

) G(aius) Caefr[

0] / ni[ 11]

s P[e] / culiaris /

3 v. s. /. /. m. Judging by the decoration and lettering the altar may be dated approximately around 230. It was probably dedicated by a descendant of a freedman family from Northern Italy settled in Western Pannónia soon after the Roman occupation coming later to tbe limes area. In the Mithraic cult of Pannónia libertine elements, mainly of Oriental origin, played an important role.