Fitz Jenő (szerk.): Religions and Cults in Pannonia. Exhibiton an Székesfehérvár, Csók István Gallery 15 May - 30 September 1996 – Szent István Király Múzeum közleményei: A. sorozat 33. (1998)

There are proofs for the worship of various deities of oriental origin, notably during the 3rd century, due to "soldier" emperors and members of their families. Oriental deities were often worshipped by soldiers and merchants coming from eastern regions and bringing with them oriental cults, furthering thereby their widespread worship. Proof of such cults have been primarily preserved in bronze figures found mostly in bordering regions (limes), that is in southeastern Pannonian regions {Pannónia Inferior), in large towns and military camps. Significant urban centres which bare witness to oriental cults are the colonies of Siscia, Mursa and Cibalae; the military points on the limes Cornacum, Rittium, Burgenae, Taurunum and others. The most numerous monuments to deities of Egyptian origin which appear earlier than the 3rd century, are dedicated to Serapis and are primarily found on gravestone crowns, where he appears flanked by two lions. There is evidence of ten monuments celebrating his cult. Isis is represented with four monuments, three of which are inscriptions. Monuments to Harpocrates are rare; only three bronze statuettes have been preserved. Interesting to note is his depiction on a fresco found at Sirmium}1 Only two bronze statuettes of Mercurius-Thot have been preserved and, still rarer are monuments depicting Iuppiter-Ammon, Anubis, Osiris and Nephtys. The cult of the Iranian deity Mithras, invincible god of light, spread through Pannónia during the 2nd and 3rd centuries and was one of the most popular cults in the southern Pannonian regions.18 There are eight inscriptions of Mithras, at least seven reliefs from various places - Sisak, Pregrada, Osijek, Surduk, as well as one relief of Cautes and Cautopates, his two companions. As a number of monuments dedicated to Mithras stem from Sisak, in addition to two cult representations, the above mentioned relief and a few inscriptions, one can conclude that his sanctuary, the Mithraeum, was also located in this Upper Pannonian centre. Also widespread was the cult of the popular couple of Phrygian deities: the cult of Cybele {Magna Mater) which spread due to the romanization of this region rather than through a direct influence from the East19

and the Attis cult, which prevailed in Rome, and which was one of the oldest oriental cults there.20

A stone sculpture found in Mursa is dedicated to Cybele, six figurai reliefs four of which are bronze are dedicated to Attis. They all come from Sisak probably indicating that a temple existed in this town. It is important to note that the worshippers of these two protagonists of mother-goddess cult were well organized which is confirmed by the inscription mentioning the association of dendrophorae dating from the 2nd century A.D. Of the bronze representations should be stressed the well-known head of Attis21 wearing a characteristic Phrygian cap decorated with stylized flowers with silver and copper inlays

(Fig. 12).22 In addition to these two deities also worshipped was the godess Terra Mater which many identify with Cybele due to the similarity in the fertility cult. Her cult is confirmed by an altar with an inscription found at Osijek. Sol also belongs to this circle of deities. He appears once individually in an inscription, and twice as a bronze statue. However, he appears more often on complex cult compositions. Nemesis appears three times-twice in inscriptions and once on a relief slab on which she is shown with attributes pertaining her as a patron of gladiators. The relief comes from the Andautonia area near Zagreb.23

The inscription on the relief

reads: [D(eae)] Nem(esi) reg(inae) Aug(ustae) sac(rum) | [.. ?] Iul(ius) Victorinus ve(teranus?) \ \dec(urio) ?] mun(icipii) And(autoniensium) cum suis \ v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito) (Fig. 6). The Thraco-Phrygian deity Sabasius was worshipped in Lower Pannónia, too. Preserved are two bronze hands, as well as a ceramic cult vessel. The only relief of the so-called Thracian Rider-god was found at Sisak. It depicts the god as a hero, with the characteristics of a horseman. There are also numerous interesting lead tablets of various sizes and shapes showing the Danubian Rider-god with many elements of cult syncretism. Features referring to Cybele and to the Ridergod cult, in this case the Pannonian Rider-god are prevailing. Most of these tablets stem from the southeastern Pannonian regions around Sirmium. Mentioned in one inscription are DU Maiores; three are dedicated to Dis deabusque. One inscription from Osijek mentions the god Deus Aeternus which some people connect to the Mithras cult, while others connect the "eternal" god to Yahweh.24 Also confirmed is the worship of Iuppiter Dolichenus whose cult was primarily promoted by Roman legions along the limes. He was especially worshipped by the Severi. This god of war and victory, who originated from Commagene in Syria, appears on seven inscriptions, three of which are from Daruvar (Aquae Balissae) and were found near the forum which might indicate a sanctuary dedicated to him in this municipality. Two stone bases with inscriptions from Surduk are dedicated to Iuppiter Dolichenus and to the "paternal" god of Commagene - deus paternus Comagenus. An altar from Sisak is dedicated to Iuppiter Heliopolitanus. And finally, on an inscription found at Osijek there is evidence of the existence of a Jewish cult which mentions proseucha in Mursa. ,7Seleml980, 275, T. XLIII. 18Mócsy 1962, 736-738; Bulat 1960, where the relevant literature is mentioned; Pinterovia 1978, 138-139; Selem 1980, 76-194. 19 Selem 1980, 195 sqq. 20 Id., ibid. 21 Earlier known as Mithras' head, but according to the opinion of many authors it seems to be the head of Attis, cfr. Selem 1980 , 90. 22Tesori nazionali 1991, 138, n. 132, where the relevant literature is mentioned. 23 On the opposite side of the marble slab there is a honorary inscription mentioning Lucius Funisulanus Vetonianus, legátus pro praetore of the provinces Dalmatia, Pannónia and Upper Moesia, cfr. Ljubic 1883, 9; Zagreb 1994, 117-119, n. 200. 24Pinterovic 1978, 143; Migotti 1994, 43, n. 13. 10