In Germany, archaeologists found a 1,800-year-old temple to Mars, the god of war, and a statue of the goddess of victory
Kyiv • UNN
Archaeologists discovered a temple to Mars near the Kapersburg fort, built about 1,800 years ago. The finds include statues of Mars and Victoria.
In the German federal state of Hesse, archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient Roman temple dedicated to Mars, the god of war. The structure is about 1,800 years old, and the finds include fragments of statues of ancient deities. Live Science reports, writes UNN.
Details
The temple was found in the Taunus Mountains near the former Roman military fort of Kapersburg. The fortification was built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD and was used until approximately 275.
The sanctuary was part of a well-preserved settlement inhabited by merchants and the families of Roman servicemen.
Archaeologists found evidence of the worship of Mars
According to Kai Mückenberger, a representative of the State Office for the Preservation of Monuments in Hesse, an ancient inscription helped determine the temple’s purpose.
Inside the temple, we found several fragments of a dedicatory inscription
The researchers also discovered the remains of a statue of the god of war himself and a sculpture of a winged figure holding a palm branch and wearing a laurel wreath.
According to the archaeologists, the latter depicts the Roman goddess Victoria, who personified victory in battle.
The discovery will help researchers better understand the religious life of Roman military settlements in what is now Germany.