Bindus is a theonym attested in the territory of the Iapodes tribe. According to scholars, the name refers to a water deity worshipped by the Iapodes, since its name is attested next to Roman deity Neptune.[1]
Epigraphy
The name is attested in epigraphic monuments found in Dardanian territory, dated to the 2nd century, near the rivers Ibra and Drina.[2] At least 11 votive documents dedicated to the deity were found in Privilica, Bihac:[3][4][5]
Bindo Neptuno sacrum
B[i]ndo Neptuno sacr[um]
(Bindo Nep)tuno
Bindo N[e]ptuno sa[c]r(um)
Bindo N(eptuno) s(acrum)
[Bi]ndi
Bi[ndo].
Out of the available epigraphy, four were dedicated by indigenous Romanized elites (praepositus), dated to Flavian times, and two offered by soldiers (dated to 3rd century).[6]
A personal name Bindho was also found in a Noricum holy spring.[7]
Polish linguist Krzysztof Tomasz Witczak also sees some possible cognate relationship between the Illyrian deity and the LusitanianBandua.[10]
Etymological connections have also been proposed between the deity's name and a place named fons Bandusiae, mentioned by Horatio in one of his Odes.[11]
Interpretations
Bindus is interpreted as the name of a deity of seas and waters,[12][13] or a deity of sources.[14] In addition, an altar dedicated to Bindus shows its possible symbols: a figure is depicted with an oar and a dolphin on one side, and a triton with an oar on the other side.[15][13]
^Ferri, Naser (2012). "Vjerovanja i štovanje bogova u predkršćanskoj Dardaniji" [Cults and Beliefs in Pre-Christian Dardania]. Godišnjak Centra za balkanološka ispitivanja (in Bosnian) (41). Akademija Nauka i Umjetnosti Bosne i Hercegovine: 143.
^Wilkes, John J. (1992). The Illyrians. Oxford, United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing. p. 238. ISBN0-631-19807-5. Among the Japodes (sic) around Bihać, altars were dedicated by leaders of the tribe to Bindus Neptunus, deity of the local spring (...)
^Katičić, Radoslav (1972). "Drei Altbalkanische Nomina Sacra" [Three Old-Balkan Nomina Sacras]. Godišnjak Centra za balkanološka ispitivanja (in German) (9): 126.
^Katičić, Radoslav (1972). "Drei Altbalkanische Nomina Sacra" [Three Old-Balkan Nomina Sacras]. Godišnjak Centra za balkanološka ispitivanja (in German) (9): 126.
^Katičić, Radoslav (1972). "Drei Altbalkanische Nomina Sacra" [Three Old-Balkan Nomina Sacras]. Godišnjak Centra za balkanološka ispitivanja (in German) (9): 126–127.
^ abKurilić, Anamarija (2022). "Acceptance, Imitation and Adaptation: How did the Natives of Roman Dalmatia Respond to Roman Cultural Presence?". In Kresimir Matijevic; Rainer Wiegels (eds.). Kultureller Transfer und religiöse Landschaften: Zur Begegnung zwischen Imperium und Barbaricum in der römischen Kaiserzeit. Berlin, Boston: De Gruyter Akademie Forschung. p. 157. doi:10.1515/9783110716580-007. S2CID244565777. Both Bindus's connection with Neptune and iconographic features present in several figural images carved on some altars (such as a deity with Neptune's attributes – fish and a scepter, a Triton, a male goat) clearly testify to him being the god of waters.
Katičić, Radoslav (1972). "Drei Altbalkanische Nomina Sacra" [Three Old-Balkan Nomina Sacras]. Godišnjak Centra za balkanološka ispitivanja (in German) (9): 126–127.
Further reading
Ferri, Naser (2008). "BINDI - HYJ JAPOD APO HYJ GJITHILIR?" [BINDUS – JAPOD DEITY OR PANILLYRIAN DEITY?]. Gjurmime Albanologjike - Folklor Dhe Etnologji (in Albanian) (38). Instituti Albanologjik i Prishtinës: 231–241.