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Roman Domestic Religion
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF
IB044
Milreu
Cult Space Type:
Cult Building
Building Name:
Milreu
Site Name:
Milreu
Date:
4th c. A.D.
Country:
Portugal
Associated
Cult Spaces:
Room Function:
-
Sacellum/Cult building
Structural
Type:
Mosaic, Nymphaeum, Podium
Description:
Located on the southeastern side of the villa was a large cult building. The structure had a largely rectangular plan, with its southern side extending out in an apse. The structure sat on a podium that was 31m by 24.5m and included a portico lined with marble columns and a barrel vault over the central room. The entrance to the temple was in line with a semi-circular water basin. In the centre of the main cella was a star-shaped fountain. The walls of the building stood around 10m tall and were lined with marble slabs. Around the structure's podium ran a frieze that depicted various sea creatures and ocean motifs in polychrome mosaic. This included fish, shellfish, the foot of a human figure, tridents, hippocamps, sea monsters, and a fragment of a ship. It is believed that this indicated that a water deity was worshipped in the cult building. Some bricks associated with the Roman period of the building depicted images, including a dolphin, a plant in an amphora, and peacocks.
References:
Bassani 2005, p. 96-97; Teichner 2006, pp. 207-214.
Image Reference:
Hauschild 2008
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