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The Early Penetration of Ancient Egyptian Artifacts and Dissemination of the Cults of Egyptian Divinities in Istria and Illyricum (1st Millennium B.C.-1st Century A.D.)

Author in article discussed the possible evidences of the earlier penetration of the ancient Egyptian artifacts, divinities and cults to the east Adriatic coast (Istria, Illyricum and Pannonia). Based on the analysis of the findings, their typology, iconography and previous archaeological and historical studies few phases of penetration Egyptian artifacts can be identify, from the early 1st millennium B.C. to the 1st century B.C., which later developed into diffusion of the Egyptian divinites and Isiac cults (c. 1st century B.C-4th century A.D.). During the Greek colonization (c. 8th century to the end of 3rd century B.C.) of the Adriatic sea Greek and Oriental merchants started to sell the Egyptian artifacts to local community or even the first worshippers of the Egyptian divinities (e.g. Isis, Osiris, Harpocrates, Serapis). During the Roman conquest of Illyricum (3rd century B.C.-1st century A.D.) connections with Egypt, North Africa, Aegean and Italy became much more intensive. The findings of the coin hoards with North African and Ptolemaic coinage can support the theory that by the late 3rd century B.C. trading connections were already well established and that is possible that the great number of Egyptian artifacts (scarabs, amulets, shabtis, bronze figurines of divinities) could arrive to Istria (e.g Nesactium), Aenona, Iader, region of Lika, Salona, and the middle Dalmatia islands (Hvar, Korčula, Vis) maybe as the first presence of Egyptian divinities. During the Romanization and the Roman rule of Illyricum (the 1st century B.C.- the end 4th century A.D.) Egyptian cults were present and well documented from varius artifacts and epigraphic evidences. The more vital dissemination of the Egyptian cults (Isis, Serapis, Harpocrates, etc.) started during the reign of Emperor Claudius and continued until the early 4th century.

Istria, Illyricum. Egyptian artifacts, Egyptian divinities, penetration, Greek colonization, Roman conquest, dissemination of the Egyptian cults

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