Religious material evidence of the water Goddess at the archeological site of Madouros in the Roman period

Abstract

The subject of sanctifying the water gods in the Roman period acquired a large share among the inhabitants of North Africa in general and the city of Madouros in particular, The Numidian city of Madouros (currently Madaurosh)located in eastern algeria, which became an important Roman colony in terms of commercial, military and religious aspects, and which was known for its scholars and writers such as Saint Augustine and Apollo the Madore, and on the other hand, has a strategic and natural location, as this region is full of important valleys and water sources. are the springs of Mount Bossuso, located southeast of the archaeological site, Ain Madauroush, east of the city, and Ain Bousba, south of the Mausoleum, which supply the city with water. In the record of writings, the worship of Neptune has spread in provinces of Numidia Especially during the pagan Roman period, the Romans were interested in water and sanctifying it, supported ,by a group of Latin writings. Water has occupied an important share in human health. We find a group of gods in the baths, including the statues of the god Asclepius and the goddess Hygeia, being the gods of medicine in the great baths of Madauros. The aim of our study is to shed light on its importance and reverence on the part of its inhabitants.