Peridrumus and the inscription of the Liber Sanctus Deus sanctuary in Valcum (Pannonia Superior) / Keszthely (Hungary)

Ádám NAGYERNYEI SZABÓ

doi:10.24193/subbhist.2026.1.10

Authors

Ádám NAGYERNYEI SZABÓ Ludovika University of Public Service, FMSOT IFS Department of Military History, Roman State- and Provincial Administration Research Center, szabo.adam@uni-nke.hu; Hungarian National Museum Department of Archaeology, Collection of Roman Stone Carvings, szabo.adam@hnm.hu, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3140-1275

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24193/subbhist.2026.1.10

Keywords:

Liber Sanctus Deus, Peridrumus, sacellum, Valcum, Pannonia Superior

Abstract

A titulus sacer (CIL III 10904 = 4126), reused as a spolium, was discovered in Keszthely-Fenékpuszta (HU); it likely originally stood in a sacellum in the settlement of Valcum in Pannonia Superior, serving as its founding inscription. The inscription, once dated with the names of consuls and carved in the second half of the 3rd century based on the letter forms, contains the name of the deity (Liber Sanctus Deus) in a peculiar form; and its dedicator included a name in the text that is unique in the Roman Empire to date (Peridrumus), which can most likely be interpreted as a signum chosen and adopted by the dedicator himself.

Rezumat: Un titulus sacer (CIL III 10904 = 4126), refolosit ca spolium, a fost descoperit la Keszthely-Fenékpuszta (Ungaria); probabil că inițial se afla într-un sacellum din așezarea Valcum din Pannonia Superioară, servind drept inscripție de fondare a acesteia. Inscripția, datată inițial pe baza numelor consulilor și sculptată în a doua jumătate a secolului al III-lea, după cum reiese din forma literelor, conține numele zeității (Liber Sanctus Deus) într-o formă particulară; iar dedicantul a inclus în text un nume unic până în prezent în Imperiul Roman(Peridrumus), care poate fi interpretat cel mai probabil ca un signum ales și adoptat chiar de dedicant.

Cuvinte cheie: Liber Sanctus Deus, Peridrumus, sacellum, Valcum, Pannonia Superior

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