Abstract

Abstract
The Cult of Jupiter Dolichenus on the Outer Limits of the Roman Empire:
A Comparison Study of Dolichena
Catherine R.K. Leisser

The Cult of Jupiter Dolichenus originated in Doliche, modern Dülük Baba Tepesi, located in southeast Turkey, and spread westward during the 2nd century CE.
The cult’s popularity spread quickly, reaching its zenith in the late 2nd century CE; its demise was equally quick: many temples were destroyed by the mid-3rd century CE. The destruction of the temple in Doliche by King Shapur I of Persia in 253 CE is often considered the final death-blow for this cult: who could have faith in this most powerful god, if his own temple was sacked and destroyed?
While certain aspects of this cult have been extensively studied, such as its epigraphy, less attention has been paid to possible regional differences of the temples in the Roman border provinces, and to differences between temples serving civilian or military cult communities.
This thesis examines a sample group of Dolichenian temples and their archaeological contents from the Roman frontier provinces of Pannonia Superior, Noricum, Raetia, Germania Superior and Britannia, located in modern Austria, Germany and Great Britain.
A comprehensive site catalogue provides an up-to-date artefact catalogue of both published and unpublished artefacts. This data is analyzed in Chapter 3, interpretations of the processes involved in this cult are discussed in Chapter 4.
This study provides a synthesis of evidence by examining, and interpreting a wide range of data covering broad geographical and chronological spans within the sample group. The result points toward a difference in urban versus rural cult communities, rather than regional differences.