KULTI I HYJIT JUPITER NË REGJIONIN E MITROVICËS
THE CULT OF DIVINITY JUPITER IN THE REGION OF NOWADAYS MITROVICA

Summary/Abstract: Years ago, in the archaeological locality close to Railway station in Mitrovica was discovered an altar, which was transferred to the Museum yard. Altar was made (built) of sandy grey colour stone in the following dimensions 95 X 50 X 35 cm. The altar’s head is decorated in a simple way, while inscription face and the basement are without any decoration. The text of the inscription is in Latin and keeps (bears) the dedication IOM. From the inscription text we are informed that altar was done (built) and dedicated to Jupiter, as a result of oath (vow) of Flavia Cassia for herself and her family. Flavia Cassia bears imperial courtesy and it is quite probable that she was a woman with autochthonous origin, while from the epitaph we could suppose that she might have been family care-taker (warden). It is characteristic for the monument that together with other monu-ments discovered in this region, proves wider respect of the cult of Jupiter during the first three centuries of our era in the Mitrovica region, because altars dedicated to Jupiter have been also discovered in Kostërc, Vushtrri, Gumnishtë, Banjskë, Soçanicë, Pazar të Ri, Banjë e Pazarit and in some other localities near Mitrovica. Jupiter was an ancient Italic God and it had the origin from Indo-European divinity (god) Dyaus the same as the Greek Zeus with whom he was identified. In our case Jupiter is presented as a protective divinity (god) of health or family well-being. The above-mentioned monument was also characterised for the fact that in virtue of dedicator appeared a woman which is a very rare case in other provinces of the Roman Empire and it reflects(indicates) ethno-cultural changes and gradual emancipation of woman in the Dar-danian society during the period of Roman occupation.

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