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Nabataean Dushārā (Dusares) — an overlooked cuirassed god

2011; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 143; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1179/003103211x13092562976090

1743-1301

Andreas J. M. Kropp,

Byzantine Studies and History

AbstractAbstractThis paper sheds new light on the images of the Nabataean god Dushārā on the coins of Roman Bostra under Commodus, Caracalla and Philip the Arab. It analyses and interprets for the first time iconographic details such as the god's cuirass, his Alexander-like hairstyle and the assimilation of his facial features to the emperor of the day on the coin obverses. This study argues that Dushārā's image is a late ad-hoc creation for a local Bostran context that did not travel far beyond the city. Alongside the anthropomorphic representation, Dushārā continued to be depicted and worshipped in the form of a betyl at Bostra, Petra and throughout the Roman province of Arabia.Keywords: NABATAEAN ARTNABATAEAN RELIGIONROMAN COINAGEROMAN PROVINCIAL COINSANICONISM