The world of the Antique woman in two regional centers of South Pannonia, Siscia and Sirmium Cover Image

Svijet antičke žene u dva južnopanonska pokrajinska središta, Sisciji i Sirmiju
The world of the Antique woman in two regional centers of South Pannonia, Siscia and Sirmium

Author(s): Hrvoje Gračanin
Subject(s): History
Published by: Hrvatski institut za povijest
Keywords: Pannonia; Siscia; Sirmium; epigraphic sources; women; female deities

Summary/Abstract: On the basis of epigraphic records the author of this paper embarks on an exploration of the role of women and female deities in the life of two Roman South Pannonian regional centers. Further, he provides an overview of relevant records, sheds light on the type of contexts in which women and female deities appear and undertakes an analysis of pertinent data. Even a cursory look at the abundance of data furnished by the epigraphic material infuses us with a sense of the role of women and female deities in the versatility of Sirmium's and Siscia's social and religious life. It is primarily via detour that one can learn about the women, that is, as they happen to appear in the context of male actors since it is data on the latter that form the gist of most records. Still, in the private domain, women do enjoy a primacy. Women from all walks of life and of different ethnical background are represented. Most frequently encountered female deities are those that have to do with fertility and natural abundance as well as universal deities. Roman names frequently obscure native numina as well. A glimpse into the world of Sirmium's and Siscia's people, their kinship and other relations, experiences and religious practices gives us assurance of the woman being one of the pillars of the society, especially in the domains of the family and the cult.

  • Issue Year: 2004
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 15-106
  • Page Count: 92
  • Language: Croatian