The Thracian Hero on the Danube New Interpretation of an Inscription from Diana

Abstract

The paper looks at some aspects of the Thracian Hero cult on the Danube frontier of Upper Moesia inspired by a reinterpretation of a Latin votive inscription from Diana, which, as the paper proposes, was dedicated to Deo Totovitioni. Based on epigraphic analogies, the paper puts forth the view that it was a dedication to the Thracian Hero, since it is in the context of this particular cult that the epithet Totovitio has been attested in various variants (Toto-viti- / Toto-bisi- / Toto-ithi-).