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Journals / Anadolu Araştırmaları / 2025 / Issue: 33

Mysteria (Secret Cults) in the Bithynian City of Claudiopolis

Mysteria (Geheimkulte) in der bithynischen Stadt Klaudiopolis

Meral Ortaç(BOLU ABANT IZZET BAYSAL UNIVERSITY)0000-0002-5233-7890
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-03-13
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

According to this assumption, Sebastophant M(arcus) Antonius Lakonianos Matnos, who initiated myesis in the Küçükberk inscription, must have been a member of a wealthy family in Claudiopolis that had good relations with the Roman Empire.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:In Claudiopolis, mystery cult was already known through an inscription discovered in the village of Akçekavak, northeast of Bolu’s city centre.
📊
Key Findings & Data:This article aims to present a new inscription, which further proves the existence of the mystery cult in Claudiopolis.
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Conclusion & Impact:According to this assumption, Sebastophant M(arcus) Antonius Lakonianos Matnos, who initiated myesis in the Küçükberk inscription, must have been a member of a wealthy family in Claudiopolis that had good relations with the Roman Empire.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Claudiopolis · Bithynia · Mysteria

Abstract

In Claudiopolis, mystery cult was already known through an inscription discovered in the village of Akçekavak, northeast of Bolu’s city centre. This article aims to present a new inscription, which further proves the existence of the mystery cult in Claudiopolis. It was discovered in the village of Küçükberk, south of the city centre. Furthermore, this belief system will be analysed in the historical and archaeological context of the city. The honorary inscription from Akçekavak provides brief information about the names and titles of the religious officials. In addition to such information, the inscription from Küçükberk contains information that the mysteries were dedicated to the deified emperors, that is, the imperial cult, and that during these mysteries was performed myesis (personal initiation). However, no details of this personal initiation are found. The rituals of the mysteries, which were associated with the cult of the deified emperors and were also observed in other cities of the province of Bithynia, may have represented an important opportunity for the Roman Empire, which exercised its rule over in distant areas, to reinforce imperial stability. The reverse situation is also likely. Wealthy families in various cities of the province, administered by Roman governors, used such organizations to recruit members for the imperial cult. In doing so, they likely fostered favourable relations with the imperial centre to advance their own interests. According to this assumption, Sebastophant M(arcus) Antonius Lakonianos Matnos, who initiated myesis in the Küçükberk inscription, must have been a member of a wealthy family in Claudiopolis that had good relations with the Roman Empire.

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Cite This Article

Ortaç, M. (2026). Mysteria (Secret Cults) in the Bithynian City of Claudiopolis. Anadolu Araştırmaları, Issue: 33. https://doi.org/10.26650/anar.33.1777156

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