RELATIONSHIP OF TEMPLES OF DEUS INVICTUS SERAPIS AT SARMIZEGETUSA AND OF APOLLO AT TIBISCUM WITH EMPEROR CARACALLA
RELATIONSHIP OF TEMPLES OF DEUS INVICTUS SERAPIS AT SARMIZEGETUSA AND OF APOLLO AT TIBISCUM WITH EMPEROR CARACALLA

Summary/Abstract: The autor is proposing another reconstruction of the building inscription of the temple of Deus Invictus Serapis from Sarmizegetusa, dating it more precisely than I. Piso did (212-217), in AD 213, before 8 October, using as main analogies the three construction plaques from Porolissum. At the same time he links this inscription with one raised as well for Apollo and Caracalla in the shrine from Tibiscum, considering both raised at the same time under the governor L. Marius Perpetuus. He proposes, based on epigraphic evidence, a visit of Septimius Severus, Caracalla and Geta at Tibiscum and Sarmizegetusa in AD 202 on their journey back from Orient and Egypt, even not recorded in the written sources. Then he discusses the journey of Caracalla along the Danube going to Orient in AD 213. The author’s conclusion is he had not enough time from 8 October when finished the expeditio Germanica to 17 December 213 when attested already at Nicomedia to travel across Dacia till Porolissum. The only acceptable trip is at Drobeta and possible to the fanum of Apollo at Tibiscum. All this inscriptions from 213 do not prove Caracalla’s visit in Dacia, but the province’s desire to get the same benefits as Pannonia and Moesia and the willing of the communities and military units to have the emperor in their places to get advantages. That was the reason everywhere in Dacia were made great preparations expecting the imperial tour, which for many never came.

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