Vjerovanja i štovanje bogova u predkršćanskoj Dardaniji
Cults and Beliefs in Pre-Christian Dardania

Summary/Abstract: Since there are not any epigraphic sources from the times before the Roman invasion of the Dardanian Kingdom (Mbretëria dardane), stone monuments with Latin inscriptions from the period of Roman invasion represent a source of enormous importance for the study of beliefs and cults on Dardan soils, both before the invasion and during the Roman rule, for gods and various cults, which were relicts of earlier times, are represented on epigraphic monuments of the first century A.D. According to the results of studies on about 600 epigraphic monuments dating from the beginning of our era until the time of expansion of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire, it was attested that cults of native gods, official as well as nonofficial Roman cults, were worshipped on Dardan soils. From the cults of native gods epigraphically was testified worshipping of the cult of Andin (Deus Andinus, protector of family, home and community), Dardania (Dea Dardania, a goddess who personified Dardanian soils). Zbeltiurdusor Zbeltiurdud (the main Thracian god worshipped as a native god as well), Tatto (Illyrian god honoured by all Illyrian tribes particularly in Dalmatia), Silvan (Roman god, native gods were honoured by his name), Dracco and Draccena (divine couple connected with the cult of snake), Quadrivia (the goddess of crossroads), then certain local variants of the cult of Jupiter in forms of IOM Ulpianensis and IOM Paternus Aepilophius, IOM Propulsator, IOM Cohortalis, cults of some Genii (genii sttationis Municipi DD, Genii loci Illyrici, Genii Illyrici), and also two unknown gods: Atta Sacra and Deus Mund(ritus?). From official cults of the Roman state worshipping of the cult of Jupiter alone was testified, or the cult of Jupiter together with goddesses Junona and Minerva, forming the divine trinity of Capitol, further worshipping of the cult of Diana, Mars, Bellone, Mercury, Neptun, Hercules, the Nymphs, Hercules, Liber and Libera, Terra Mater, Fortuna, Genii, Lares, Dii Manes as well as the cult of the current emperor was also attested. Among nonofficial cults epigraphically were testified cults of greek and of oriental Origin such as: the cult of Zeus Ezaios, Apollo, Dionysus, Sabazios, Asclepios or Aesculapus, Heracles, Jupiter Dolichenus, Jupiter Melcid, Jupiter Melano, as well as the cults of Greek goddesses Hera, Hygia, Nemesis and Hylara, the cult of Egyptian gods Serapis and Isis, syrian goddess Atargatis or Dea Syria, honoring of the cults of persons who were made heroes after their death (Antinous and Alexander) and of mortals (Omphale, the queen of Lydia and one of the wives of Heracles). Honouring of all the above mentioned cults proves the presence of genuine liberalism of Dardanian soil as far as religious belief is concerned, which spread until the time when Christianity, despite persecutions of Roman officials and the rivalry of Mithraism, prevailed and became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

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