Naria
Encyclopedia
Naria was a goddess in Gallo-Roman religion
who appears to have been venerated only in what is now the western part of Switzerland
. Her nature and responsibilities remain obscure.
She is mentioned only twice in known inscriptions from the Gallo-Roman era. One, on a stone altar from Cressier
, reads Nariae Novsantiae T. Frontin. Hibernvs V.S.L.M, that is: "To Naria Nousantia, Titus Frontinius Hibernus willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow". The epithet 'Nousantia' is otherwise unknown. The other inscription is on the base of a statuette from the Muri statuette group. That inscription, Deae Nariae Reg(io) Arvre(nsis) Cvr(ante) Feroc(e) L(iberto), translates as: "The Aar area association dedicated this to the goddess Naria; the freedman Ferox served as curator
."
The Muri statuette is also the only known depiction of Naria. It shows her in a long sleeved dress and with a diadem
in her hair. The hands which held her divine attributes are missing. This depiction of Naria follows a generic style then used in Italy mostly for depictions of the goddess of luck, Fortuna
. This indicates that Naria might also have been conceived of as a goddess of good luck and blessings.
Gallo-Roman religion
Gallo-Roman religion was a fusion of the traditional religious practices of the Gauls, who were originally Celtic speakers, and the Roman and Hellenistic religions introduced to the region under Roman Imperial rule. It was the result of selective acculturation....
who appears to have been venerated only in what is now the western part of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. Her nature and responsibilities remain obscure.
She is mentioned only twice in known inscriptions from the Gallo-Roman era. One, on a stone altar from Cressier
Cressier, Neuchâtel
Cressier is a municipality in the district of Neuchâtel in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel.-Geography:Cressier has an area, , of . Of this area, or 28.1% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 54.6% is forested...
, reads Nariae Novsantiae T. Frontin. Hibernvs V.S.L.M, that is: "To Naria Nousantia, Titus Frontinius Hibernus willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow". The epithet 'Nousantia' is otherwise unknown. The other inscription is on the base of a statuette from the Muri statuette group. That inscription, Deae Nariae Reg(io) Arvre(nsis) Cvr(ante) Feroc(e) L(iberto), translates as: "The Aar area association dedicated this to the goddess Naria; the freedman Ferox served as curator
Curator
A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution is a content specialist responsible for an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material...
."
The Muri statuette is also the only known depiction of Naria. It shows her in a long sleeved dress and with a diadem
Diadem
Diadem may refer to:*Diadem, a type of crown-Military:*HMS Diadem was a 64-gun third rate ship of the line in the Royal Navy launched in 1782 at Chatham and participated in the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1787...
in her hair. The hands which held her divine attributes are missing. This depiction of Naria follows a generic style then used in Italy mostly for depictions of the goddess of luck, Fortuna
Fortuna
Fortuna can mean:*Fortuna, the Roman goddess of luck -Geographical:*19 Fortuna, asteroid*Fortuna, California, town located on the north coast of California*Fortuna, United States Virgin Islands...
. This indicates that Naria might also have been conceived of as a goddess of good luck and blessings.