guy Posted June 24 Report Share Posted June 24 (edited) A small rock‑cut Roman sanctuary dedicated to Minerva has been identified within an ancient sandstone quarry at Campos del Paraíso (Cuenca, Spain). The study, published in June 2026, indicates that the shrine was carved in the late 2nd century CE by Plotius Vigor, a member of a prominent Hispano‑Roman family. The shrine is an aedicula — a miniature temple façade — 24 inches wide and 20 inches tall, carved directly into the sandstone quarry wall. Minerva appears as a front‑facing armed goddess, wearing a long tunic and a crested helmet while holding a spear in her right hand and resting her left hand on an oval shield; she also bears the aegis across her chest, and an owl—her traditional companion symbolizing wisdom—stands beside her, making the identification unmistakably consistent with classical Roman portrayals of Minerva and her Greek counterpart Athena. The inscription beneath the relief is brief, formulaic, and typical of rural Roman cult sites. According to the published study, it reads: Minervae dominae — “To Minerva the Lady,” a respectful divine epithet. Plotius — The dedicator, identified as Plotius Vigor, a member of a wealthy Hispano‑Roman family. cum suo comitatu — “with his retinue/companions,” meaning he made the dedication together with the group under his authority (family, workers, or dependents). Recreation of the rock-cut sanctuary: https://elpais.com/cultura/2026-06-22/hallado-un-santuario-romano-dedicado-a-la-diosa-minerva-en-una-cantera-de-cuenca.html https://allthatsinteresting.com/campos-del-paraiso-spain-roman-minerva-shrine Edited Friday at 03:42 AM by guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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