The presence of an oracle of the Greek hero Geryoneus at the Aquae Patavinae near Padua and Este is only attested by a passage from Suetonius pertaining to the Life of Tiberius, since no archaeological traces have so far been attributed to this oracular deity. The contribution intends to propose a new examination of an artefact in the form of a polyform head, discovered in the late 19th century in the vicinity of Este, which, with its disquieting iconography, evokes on the one hand wild and mysterious landscapes pertaining to a locus horridus, and on the other hand lays the foundations for questioning the possible location of the seat of the Geryoneus oracle in the countryside around Este. In the light of precise comparisons with similar and coeval artefacts found not only in Venetia but also in Roman Gaul, as well as considering the find within broader archaeological-historical-topographical horizons, the cippus may offer new points of investigation, also foreshadowing significant elements for further investigation. Among these is the need to confirm, through specific research, the importance of the Euganean thermal basin in the Roman age not only in the area around Padua, which has always been the subject of archaeological studies and investigations, but also in the area around Este: the entire Euganean area was a Roman famous destination, both as a place of healing and wellness, and as the site of sanctuaries and sacred spaces, whose oracular nature amplified its importance and value in the eyes of pilgrims, travelers and emperors.
Un horridus gerione alle Aquae Patavinae. Nuove ipotesi per il cippo policefalo da Este
Maddalena Bassani
2024-01-01
Abstract
The presence of an oracle of the Greek hero Geryoneus at the Aquae Patavinae near Padua and Este is only attested by a passage from Suetonius pertaining to the Life of Tiberius, since no archaeological traces have so far been attributed to this oracular deity. The contribution intends to propose a new examination of an artefact in the form of a polyform head, discovered in the late 19th century in the vicinity of Este, which, with its disquieting iconography, evokes on the one hand wild and mysterious landscapes pertaining to a locus horridus, and on the other hand lays the foundations for questioning the possible location of the seat of the Geryoneus oracle in the countryside around Este. In the light of precise comparisons with similar and coeval artefacts found not only in Venetia but also in Roman Gaul, as well as considering the find within broader archaeological-historical-topographical horizons, the cippus may offer new points of investigation, also foreshadowing significant elements for further investigation. Among these is the need to confirm, through specific research, the importance of the Euganean thermal basin in the Roman age not only in the area around Padua, which has always been the subject of archaeological studies and investigations, but also in the area around Este: the entire Euganean area was a Roman famous destination, both as a place of healing and wellness, and as the site of sanctuaries and sacred spaces, whose oracular nature amplified its importance and value in the eyes of pilgrims, travelers and emperors.
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