Syrian priesthood in the territory of Danube Limes of Moesia superior: Funerary monument dedicated to Jupiter Dolichenus and Sea Syria from Glamija

Abstract

In 1982, during archaeological excavations in the Danube Limes, a funerary stela was found in the locality of Glamija I (in the village of Rtkovo), inside the Roman fortress, dedicated to Jupiter Dolichenus and Dea Syria. The dedicant is the priest of the divine couple. The monument from Glamija I represents one of only a few monuments dedicated to Jupiter Dolichenus and Dea Syria, particularly since the dedication is made by the priest of the gods. This paper discusses the question and role of Syrian priesthood in the territory of the Danube Limes and the Central Balkan Roman provinces, in the context of the cults of Jupiter Dolichenus and Dea Syria, along with the hypotheses regarding the possible sanctuaries of the deities, their worshippers and the period when their cults existed in the aforementioned territories.