Proposal for the Dating and the Cult for the Podium Temple in Diokaisareia (Rough Cilicia)

Authors : Deniz Kaplan

Pages : 489-490

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Publication Date : 2013-05-01

Article Type : Other

Abstract :The aim of this study on the Podium Temple in Diokaisareia is to make a suggestion about the dating of the building and the deity to whom the temple was dedicated. The suggestion for the dating of it, is mainly based on the stylistic analysis of the Corinthian capitals. On the other hand the discussion for the deity of the temple is based on an inscription found at the city which provides us with evidence related to the political structure of Eastern Rough Cilicia and the process of Diokaiseria becoming a Roman city during the era.Including Wannagat’s suggestion, the capitals are dated to a wider time span between 10 BC and 40/41 AD. The temple building is also dated in this period and a more precise dating is suggested by regarding that the site has become a Roman city named Diokaisareia during the reign of Tiberius. Therefore here it is proposed that the temple was built during the period of Tiberius. The inscription found at the city provides us with evidence for determining the deity for whom the temple was dedicated. Emperor Tiberius is mentioned as the son of the god, the founder and the savior of the city in this inscription. The inscription is likely to be dedicated to the emperor for his interest in the city and his donations. For that reason the inscription is accepted as an evidence for the cult of Tiberius and the Podium Temple as the cult temple of Tiberius. There is also another evidence to support this suggestion. Here the vassal kings and the imperial cult policies are remarkable. Vassal kings of Rough Cilicia Iudeia and Mauretania showed great attention to the establishment of imperial cults and the construction of their temples. During the reign of vassal kings only imperial cult temples were built. Hence it is highly likely that the Podium Temple was dedicated to the imperial cult, constructed during the reign of the vassal kings. Another aspect discussed here about the Podium Temple is its position in the city. The placement of the temple next to the Temenos of the temple of Zeus Olbios at the new city center formed around it, was a conscious choice. The rear wall of the Podium Temple, built as one with the Temenos wall of the temple of Zeus Olbios Corrigendais a distinguishing feature. This feature symbolically refers to the new title of the city as "Diokaisareia”. It was aimed to subject the citizens to the Emperor by the holistic approach of religion and political power which was to support each other as an effective propaganda of the new political system, initiated with Tiberius
Keywords : Rough Cilicia, Diokaisareia, Podium Temple, Emperor’s Cult