Jupiter vs Belatucadrus: Worship of non-Classical Deities in the Roman Empire

by Blair Gormley, Potomac High School, Dumfries, VA

Original text © 2004 Blair Gormley

Jupiter vs. Belatucadrus introduces teachers and students to how the imperial Roman army absorbed the customs and religious practices of the peoples they conquered. Using the worship of local gods as his axis, Gormley explores the impact that the non-Roman gods Belatucadrus, Cocidius, Isis, and Mithras had on the Roman army. In juxtaposition, Gormley explores the extent to which the Roman gods Mars, Juno, and Jupiter were adopted into the British pantheon and the effect this had in specific regions of Britain.

Gormley uses archaeological evidence to his demonstrate how Roman Britain selected the gods it adopted from the Roman pantheon based on British cultural mores of the time. Gormley describes specific archaeological sites and monuments found in Roman Britain that support up his claims.

• Introduction
• Belatucadrus
• Cocidius
• Isis
• Mithras
• Mars in Britain
• Juno in Britain
• Jupiter in Britain
• Roman Worship of Native Deities