How familiar were the Romans with this god in the Roman republic? I’ve come up empty handed and gotten stuck on the question.
First who is he? Mostly associated with the East and popular with Soldiers. Likes to stand around on the back of bulls. Fond of double headed axes. Associated with storms. Mostly discussed as a mystery cult god of the high empire, like the better known Mithras or Isis. You know the drill, foreign, exotic, but not TOO foreign. Wikipedia entry.
The symbols of this gem are identical to those of Papius RRC 384/1 no. 13.
Augustan Age is easier to establish via literature. Harrison’s 1991 commentary on Vergil Book 10 doesn’t discuss the god (yes, I’m disappointed), but I believe the allusion is there:
The intent seems certainly to invoke an eastern god as the origin of an eastern hero, BUT this is not a traditional reading.
Epigraphic evidence suggests Dolichenus was associated with Jupiter Optimus Maximus before 50 CE, perhaps as early as Augustus’ reign.
Both from Trieste (EDCS-13700414 and EDCS-04600005). I wonder if the cognomen Heorte may suggest an eastern origin of this woman.
In the mid first century CE on the northern frontier two women give thanks for their freedom to I.O.M.D (EDCS-14500089). The name Dolichenus is restored and likely correct suggesting the god is so well known there is no need to spell out the name.
The earliest inscription in Rome itself of this syncretism is firmly dated to 92 BCE. (EDCS-29200149). There is no doubt about the syncretism possible with the names spelled out in full:
Iovi Optimo Maximo
Dolicheno
There is no reference to Dolichenus in Pompeii that I can find. BUT! There is the famous hand of Sabazius.
More images below.
I mention this as Sabazius stands on a bull head and both cults use similar bronze hands.
From Berndt Ersöz 2018:
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The idea that these cults may have travelled back to Rome with soldier in the first century BCE is intriguing but unproved.
Other hands. I’ve taken these off pinterest as that is where I found the most images. I’ve not check for authenticity or source or findspot–use with caution
said to be in the National Aquatic Archaeological museum, Cartagena (Qart Hadasht – Carthago Nova)
