Silvanus in Ex Viso Inscriptions
Date
2-19-2025
Faculty Mentor
Lindsay Holman, History & Foreign Language
Files
Submission Type
Conference Proceeding
Location
9:15-9:25 am | Houston Cole Library, 11th Floor
Description
This study explores ninety-five Latin inscriptions from Italy which include the phrases ex viso or ex visu, typically referring to visions or dreams of a religious variety. This type of votive inscription, primarily dating from the first and second centuries CE, were often written on marble altars or accompanied by carved depictions of the subject. Within the corpus, Silvanus and Jupiter are most frequently invoked, with Silvanus depicted in eighteen instances, twice that of Jupiter. The demographics of the dedicators showcase a diverse group including women, enslaved and freedpeople, Greeks, and individuals of Eastern origin, with no straightforward pattern of deity preference linked to these identities. While Silvanus’s prominence remains largely unexplained, his association with visions may indicate a particular availability or visual emphasis of his character. This collection of inscriptions also provides insight into the broader religious practices and material culture associated with Roman epiphanic experiences.
Keywords
student research, history
Rights
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Disciplines
European History
Recommended Citation
Fitzsimmons, Cayleigh, "Silvanus in Ex Viso Inscriptions" (2025). JSU Student Symposium 2025. 68.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/68
