The Cult of Jupiter in the Naissus Area

Abstract

In the area of the Roman town of Naissus (nowadays called Ni{), a total of 22 monuments dedicated to the cult of Jupiter were noted. Of this number, 20 monuments represent an independent Jupiter cult with the remainder being in cult communities. In these communities, Jupiter is associated with other deities such as Juno, Liber or Hilara. The deity referred to as Hilara is not known; it is assumed that this name is either an abbreviation or deviation of the name Hilaeira priestess ofArtemis and Castor’s wife. Jupiter is, however, mostly praised as a Capitoline Jupiter referred to as Optimus and Maximus, as well as Jupiter Paternus – a Jupiter that protects.