Cult of Harpocrates in Pannonia - Petroci

The cult of Harpocrates in Pannonia
Harpocrates' monuments have been found in numerous Pannonian cities, such as

Carnuntum, Spital am Semmering, Siscia, Savaria, Marsonia, Mursa, Aquincum, Sirmium and
Burgenae. Most of Harpocrates' monuments were found in Carnuntum, while in other cities
only one monument was found. The discovered monuments are mainly gems, amulets and
bronze statues of smaller dimensions. In adition to those findings, there were also found an
inscription based on the statue of Isis and a fresco.
Finds from Carnuntum and Sirmium are very valuable. Ten amulets depicting Isis
and Harpocrates were found in Carnuntus, the military center of Upper Pannonia. The amulets
are dated to the 1st century. They are very small, a few centimeters high and are covered with
a layer of silver. One of them is gilded. Besides, they do not differ too much, which is why it
is believed that, in addition to being the product of a local workshop, some also came from the
same mold. One figurine has a large ring on the back which is why it is believed to have been
a pendant, while the other is believed to have been applied to wood. The amulets depict Isis
and Harpocrates standing next to each other. Due to the damage, but also the size and
stylization of the object, the details are very difficult to discern. It is evident that they have
specific, stylized crowns on the heads of the deities. They appear to be composed either of
indeterminate birds, probably ostriches, or of ears of wheat. If we take into account that Isis is
often worshiped as the goddess of fertility, especially if it is depicted with a horn of plenty,
and on these amulets Isis and Harpocrates are depicted with this symbol, it is likely that it is
an ear of wheat. Nevertheless, the vague crowns may indicate the master's poor knowledge of
the typical crowns with which these Egyptian deities were portrayed. Precisely because of
such a stylized way of presentation as well as poorer quality of workmanship, it is assumed
that all amulets were made in a local workshop. These amulets are extremely important
because they are a rare example of a departure from this classic depiction of Isis and
Harpocrates, which are most often depicted in the position of Isis Lactant while Horus-
Harpocrates sits in her lap. Along with the characters of the deities, numerous animals, a dog,
a turtle and a falcon are also shown. The falcon represents the god Horus. Although there are
many speculations about local Pannonian workshops, such as the one in Novi Banovci, the
workshop in Carnuntum is currently the only confirmed workshop in Pannonia.
An extremely valuable fresco was found in Sirmium, the only one found so far in
Pannonia. The found part of the fresco shows mythological depictions, and the preserved part
contains the head of a boy with chubby cheeks who has a crown in his curly hair, probably a
pśent crown. He brings the index finger of his right hand to his mouth. It is part of a whole
that probably contained a mythological account of the whole divine family. Since the
mythological depictions on the frescoes often decorated the temples, this led to the idea of the
existence of the temple of Isis. Still, it is probably a fresco that was in a private house, perhaps
even part of a priest's apartment. It is known that the wealthier Romans liked to decorate their
atriums with various mythological depictions, so it is very likely that this fresco was also on
the floor of the atrium or lararium of the wealthier Roman house. Frescoes depicting
Harpocrates were found in two Pompeii larariums. Pope Habit, nephew of Pope Sabine,
Nero's second wife, had in the lararium a depiction of Isis, Osiris, Harpocrates and Anubis,
thus the whole tetrad of the holy family.
Although Pannonia is rich in Harpocrates monuments, these findings are valuable

because of their originality and uniqueness. Amulets, not only confirm the existence of a local
workshop, but also stand out with iconographic depictions of deities that are shown in the
same size, side by side. The usual iconography depicts Isis larger than Harpocrates, most
often breastfeeding him. The crowns worn by the deities are also unique. Highly stylized
crowns can be interpreted as ostrich feathers or as ears of wheat. It is possible that the local
artist misinterpreted the usual Isis crown containing ostrich feathers. Due to ignorance and
ignorance of the original Egyptian mythology and iconography, the deities were given crowns
with ears of grain.
The fresco is also unique in the Pannonia. Although the fresco was certainly part of
a mythological depiction of the entire divine triad, or even tetrad, only a fragment depicting
Harpocrates' head was found. Apart from being the only fresco found in this area, it was
initially thought to be part of a temple complex. Still, it is more likely that it was part of a
priest’s apartment or a lararium of a wealthier Roman citizen.
The largest number of confirmations of Isis cults in Pannonia, but also in the whole
Empire, was recorded during the time of the Flavians, then in the time Hadrian was an
emperor and finally, during the time of the Severan dynasty. The largest number of
Harpocrates monuments, thirteen of them, dates back to the 2nd or 3rd century. Two
monuments date back to the 2nd century. For one monument it is not possible to determine
whether it belongs to the 1st or 2nd century. It was not only imperial propaganda that
contributed to the spread of Isis cults. For the acceptance of these cults in Pannonia the Italic
influence was also important, that is, the proximity of northern Italy. Isis cults were first
accepted in the cities on the Amber Road and along the Sava River. The bearers of Isis cults
in Pannonia were merchants and soldiers. This is confirmed by the sites of cult monuments,
which in most cases are in the immediate vicinity, or in the military camp itself.
Literatura:
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Boccard.
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Budimpešta: Ibisz Bt.
GYŐRY, Hedvig; SZABÓ, Adam (eds.). 2016. Aegyptus Et Pannonia V.: Acta Symposii
Anno 2008. Budimpešta: Archaeolingua.
PETROCI, Klara. 2020. Harpokratov kult u X. italskoj regiji, Dalmaciji i Panoniji. Diplomski
rad. Zagreb: Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Filozofski fakultet.
SELEM, Petar. 1997. Izidin trag. Split: Književni krug.
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TAKÁCS, A. Sarolta. 1995. Isis and Sarapis in the Roman World. New York: E. J. Brill.
TOMORAD, Mladen. 2018. Various Manifestations of Isis Cult in the Region of Istria,
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VEYMIERS Richard, BRICAULT Laurent (eds.). 2011. Bibliotheca Isiaca II. Bordeaux:
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U Raukarov zbornik, ur. Neven Budak, 157-173. Zagreb: Filozofski
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Ulomak freske (Srijemska Mitrovica, Selem 2008., 126.)
Natpis na bazi kipa (Szombathely, EDCS 29000427)

Amulet s prikazom Izide i Harpokrata (Bad Deutsch Altenburg, Győry 2006., 90, sl. 4.)
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15.)

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The cult of Harpocrates in Pannonia

Harpocrates' monuments have been found in numerous Pannonian cities, such as

Although Pannonia is rich in Harpocrates monuments, these findings are valuable

BRUNŠMID, Josip. 1913- 1914. Antikni bronsani figuralni spomenici u Hrvatskom

SELEM, Petar. 1997. Izidin trag. Split: Književni krug.

VEYMIERS, Richard; BRICAULT, Laurent. 2006. Figurines en argent du limes Danubien à

JANEKOVIĆ RÖMER, Zdenka. 2007. Maruša ili suđenje ljubavi.

JAKIĆ-CESTARIĆ, Vesna. 1972. Etnički odnosi u srednjovjekovnom Zadru

3. ČLANAK U ZBORNIKU RADOVA

MATIJEVIĆ SOKOL, Mirjana. 2005. Splitski srednjovjekovni književni krug.

Natpis na bazi kipa (Szombathely, EDCS 29000427)

Kip (Slavonski Brod, Tomorad, Kovać, 2019., 70, sl.

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