The Archaeology and Significance of the Goddess Sulis-Minerva

The archaeology of the Roman baths at Bath in Somerset provides us with much information about the cult of the goddess Sulis-Minerva. From this, we can understand more about the religious diversity within the Roman Empire at the time of its occupation in Britain. It is my aim to discuss the significance of the archaeological remains surrounding the goddess-Minerva.

First, let us define who we mean. Sulis-Minerva is the hybrid of the Roman goddess of healing, Minerva, and the native Celtic goddess Sul. The word ‘sul’ is usually translated as “gap”, “opening” or “orifice” which is the “interface between this world and the otherworld, from whence the extraordinary hot waters emerge” (Bowman, p.25).

The Roman baths at Bath is one of the most well-known religious sites in Britain. With most religious sites, animal sacrifice is most common with dedications to deities. However, excavations at Bath have yielded little faunal evidence, so it could be argued that animal sacrifice was not practised or that the animal remains were deposited outside the temple and baths areas (King, p.361). Through the archaeological information, it is most probable that the first theory is the most accurate one, since the site was dedicated to healing (King, p.361), so it is unlikely that animals, that were sometimes diseased, would be introduced where they could possible infect humans.

Different offerings were dedicated to the goddess. Coins were thrown into the sacred spring, attesting to the sanctity of the waters. Over 12,000 Roman coins have been found, which is one of the largest votive offerings found in Britain (The Official Roman Baths), dating from the first century CE right up to the fourth century CE. It is a matter of debate between archaeologists whether these coins were offered as a single votive offering or whether the devotee offered several coins at once. “However, the importance of these coins may not be confined to our understanding of the temple complex” (Gerrard, p.376)

Curse tablets have also been found. These were soft lead tablets inscribed with a curse, then rolled up and offered up to the goddess of the sacred spring (Richmond & Toynbee, p.97). The devotee would ask for intervention from the goddess. One curse states 'To Minerva the goddess of Sulis I have given the thief who has stolen my hooded cloak, whether slave or free, whether man or woman. He is not to buy back this gift unless with his own blood' (Gerrard, p. 288).

From the available evidence, the significance of the goddess Sulis-Minerva has been of importance since the time the Romans arrived onto the scene. The fact that the Roman goddess Minerva was entwined with the native goddess Sul can be seen of great importance, since religious encounters were more fluid than fixed. Even today, the archaeological evidence that is continually uncovered yields great significance in understanding the power and importance of the cult of Sulis-Minerva.

Bibliography:

Bowman, Marion (1998) Belief, Legend and Perceptions of the Sacred in Contemporary Bath, Folklore, Taylor & Francis.

Gerrard, James (2005) A Possible Late Roman Silver ‘Hoard’ From Bath, Britannia, Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies.

King, Antony (2005) Animals Remains from Temples in Roman Britain, Britannia, Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies.

The Official Roman Baths, Bath & North East Somerset Council, http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/