A Danubian Riders plaque from Merbes-le-Château (prov. Hainaut, Belgium)

Abstract

In 2006, during the excavation of a Gallo-Roman villa, a small deposit was discovered including two cauldrons of copper alloy, as well as a casket containing two silver spoons, a purse of 122 silver antoninianii, a perfume phial and four worn sestertii placed on a plaque dedicated to the Danubian Riders. This plaque, in a silver-plated copper alloy, is an exceptional item, both because of its rarity in the western provinces of the Empire and for its technical quality. The discovery enables the reassessment of our knowledge of the cult of the Danubian Riders, whose practices and divinity name remain unknown. It may represent a small treasure buried around the 260s AD, following the barbarian in vasions – although the composition of the assemblage and the location of the hiding place (perhaps a domestic cult room) might suggest a religious deposit.