Research Article

A phallic relief discovered in Colonia Aurelia Apulensis, Roman Dacia

Number: 2 April 1, 2026
Archaeology of Western Anatolia Cover
Archaeology of Western Anatolia
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A phallic relief discovered in Colonia Aurelia Apulensis, Roman Dacia

Abstract

Archaeological research conducted between August and December 2025 in the northeastern part of the Roman city Colonia Aurelia Apulensis, brought to light impressive remains belonging to a Roman neighborhood, consisting of private buildings (domus type) made of stone and brick, a temple, streets, a small square, and an inner courtyard paved with stone tiles. The archaeological material is diverse, with numerous ceramic fragments, bronze, iron, and bone artifacts recovered, as well as stone monuments, including a votive altar dedicated to Iupiter Optimus Maximus and another dedicated to the immortal gods and goddesses by a speculator of the V Macedonica legion, Aurelius Aquilinus. All these discoveries will be the subject of an archaeological park in the coming years. The subject of this scientific endeavour is the presentation of a limestone relief with the unique image of a phallus, the only monument of its kind in Roman Dacia. Like other monuments of this kind, it can be linked to an apotropaic function, being located near a crossroads, which was considered a vulnerable place by the Romans

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This article is original and we respect ethical norms of scientific research

References

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  8. Ota, R., Florescu, C. T., Groza, D., Todea, C., 2025. Un speculator al legiunii V Macedonica atestat recent în colonia Aurelia Apulensis. Cercetări Arheologice, 32.2, pp. 449-458.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Greek and Roman Period Archeology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Radu Ota *
Romania

Cristian Titus Florescu This is me
0000-0002-3576-6036
Romania

Publication Date

April 1, 2026

Submission Date

February 18, 2026

Acceptance Date

February 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 2

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA23BK59NE

Cite

RIS / Bibtex
APA
Ota, R., Darius, G., & Florescu, C. T. (2026). A phallic relief discovered in Colonia Aurelia Apulensis, Roman Dacia. Archaeology of Western Anatolia, 2, 52-59. https://izlik.org/JA23BK59NE