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The pagan gods of Roman Britain became supernatural cops and executioners to hunt down and punish criminals.
New research into dozens of documents from a now-lost Roman temple near Uley. Gloucestershire reveals how Romano-Britons turned over law enforcement to their gods. In the absence of a police force
A detailed analysis of more than 80 letters written to the Roman god Curry. Implore him to help you recover the stolen goods. and punish the thieves who stole them.
The letters, most of which were written by rural people living in Gloucestershire around 18 centuries ago, asked for God's help in tracking down, apprehending, and punishing those responsible for theft of various types of property – everything from horses to cattle. from sheep and beehives to textiles, rings (including precious gold), horse bridles, women's undergarments. Several coats, hats, gloves, pewter plates, two wheels and a large amount of cash.
Two cases appear to involve large sums of money. One letter asks for Mercury's help in securing a loan of 35,000 denarii (equivalent to more than £250,000 today!) – while another letter states that God will reward him with 100,000 denarii if he is successful. To compel a debtor to pay off a large sum of money by letter, the writer
The other two letters asked Mercury to take severe action against those practicing black magic. Specifically to stop enemies from using magic to harm farm animals.
The letters (called 'curse beads') were all engraved on lead plates. It was discovered in the 1970s but is so old and difficult to read that it has only been transcribed and published.
Carrying out the transcription and analysis is very complex and challenging. Until having to use Professor Roger Tomlin of Oxford University who was one of England's leading Latin scholars It took more than two years of hard work to achieve this.
“The lead tablets are extremely important documents. It helps us to understand life in Roman Britain and the Romano-British way of thinking more fully,” Professor Tomlin According to the author of the recently published book on letters, The Uley Tablets: Roman Curse Tablets, from the Temple of Mercury at Uley
“The document gives us an opportunity to read in their own words what was going on in their minds,” he said.
Most of the 85 letters are written in Latin. But two were written in Celtic. and one character, although written in Latin But written in the Greek alphabet, the different languages, scripts, and names of letter writers suggest that even in rural areas, society was very culturally diverse.
Documents are important for three important reasons:
- First, they reveal that literacy was common in Romano-British rural society. Until now it has not been fully realized. Most of the letters were written in Latin. Although the name of the letter writer suggests that most of the letters may have been of British inheritance. Instead of being a continental Roman race
- Second, they reveal that crime was common in the Romano-British countryside. And people saw their gods as the only way to get justice. This fact shows the real power that religion had in the Roman Empire.
- Third, together with the two Celtic documents found at Bath. Uley's message Both Celtic versions begin to reveal the native language spoken by many Romano-British people. It may even have been the majority of the population. Until now, scholars do not know if the Bath documents were written in English Celtic or Gaulish. (French Celtic) But at least one of the two Uley Celtic documents being studied by University of Nottingham linguist and historian Professor Alex Mullen and former Cambridge Professor of Celtic Paul Russell appear to be written in the same language as that of Uley. Bath – and because Uley was rural, this fact shows for the first time that documents of Uley and Bath Celtic may also be written in English Celtic. Instead of Gaulish
These four texts are therefore the only known examples of indigenous languages spoken in Britain in late prehistoric times and in the Roman period. Until now, the only way to gain insight into how people spoke. in ancient Britain was an attempt to recreate a long-lost language from the modern Celtic language of southern Britain. (Wales and Cornish) and by studying ancient Celtic names.
“The four Uley and Bath texts offer unique insights into the Celtic languages spoken by local communities in Roman Britain,” Professor Mullen said.
But most of the Uley documents were written in Latin, the main language of the Roman Empire.
Map of Uley:
Many letters requesting Mercury (and sometimes the god of war, Mars) not only in communicating with or tracking down criminals. but also acted as an executioner. If criminals do not cooperate
The message asked the gods involved to take drastic measures to ensure that the stolen property was returned. and other wrongdoing has been stopped.
One letter asked Mercury to ensure that the criminal lost the ability to urinate, defecate, speak, sleep, or otherwise be in good health until he returned the goods he had stolen.
Another asked God to make the criminal ill-health and not allow him to sleep or sit or drink or eat – until the stolen goods were returned.
A particularly harsh letter implored Mercury to ensure the entire family of criminals. “Sleepless with unknown ailments” and having them “drive everyone out” by becoming “Half-naked, toothless, trembling and gouty,” and no one pitied them. The letter also implored God to ensure that the thief's family members died in “The most disgusting condition. and they will not find you merciful.”
If stolen goods are returned The letter writer often offered to 'pay' the god for his services – usually by giving him a specified share of the recovered goods.
The temple at Uley was not a traditional Roman temple. Instead, it was a native English temple. in which the Roman god (Mercury) was combined with the native British temple (possibly Arweriacus or Arwerius – perhaps the god of prosperity/fertility of the land). with the name Mercury Indeed, the hill on which the temple stood appears to have been called the Hill of Arverius.
The temple began in the late Iron Age. This may have been shortly before the Roman conquest in the mid-1st century, with Mercury being united with Arwerius there sometime after the conquest. The temple is located just a few hundred meters from an important Iron Age city. Therefore, it is possible that the temple is connected to that population center. Either during or after the city's occupation.
The temple was in use for at least 350 years – but it appears to have been partially collapsed or destroyed in or after the late 4th century (when England became more Christian).
However, the larger-than-life head of the holy temple cult statue of Mercury appears to have been revered so much by the locals. This could be his worshiper or former worshiper. It was carefully placed in a specially dug hole. Which is only 10 meters from the accommodation. Location of the temple.
according to Roman tradition Mercury is the god of money/prosperity. Fertility/sexual and sacred communication which received special respect from merchants But they also earned special respect from thieves.
