New evidence of the cult of Epona in Viminacium

Abstract

During the excavation of the villa rustica from the 2nd century on the site of Nad Klepečkom near Viminacium, a fragment of a so-called snake vessel with an applied medallion was discovered in one of the rooms of the building. The medallion bears a representation of the goddess Epona. This find is the second iconographic representation of Epona discovered in Viminacium so far. In terms of iconography, it bears a resemblance to a marble relief previously discovered in Viminacium, as well as to the representations of the goddess on artefacts from the surrounding provinces in the Balkans. Nevertheless, certain details of the scene have closer analogies among representations from Gaul and Germania. This medallion is the first representation of Epona on a snake vessel, which has, until now, been related to oriental and certain Roman cults (Mithra, Dionysus/Liber), and the vessel itself was produced in a local workshop. Since this pottery vessel was most likely used by the residents of the villa, it represents a testimony of household worship of the cult of Epona in Viminacium.