In the area of the military camp of Burnum a fragment was discovered of a sizeable architectural stone block with a depiction of Juno and a peacock, along with a monumental head from a sculpture of Jupiter
The Roman polytheistic religion was eclectic in nature, the pantheon changed, new rites and priests were introduced, and cults spread and their popularity changed. The Roman settlement of Burnum developed in the Liburnian area and a corresponding continuity of autochthonous cults and pre-Roman religion would be expected. However, they can barely be noted, because the military and administrative character of Burnum resulted in a strong introduction of the Roman pantheon. The cults and beliefs of the Burnum inhabitants are almost completely unknown to us, and can be speculated about more through comparison with the neighboring Liburnian communities. Female divinities were probably popular, especially Latra, whose cult was worshiped in the wider Liburnian area, while other goddesses were limited to one or two communities. A rare trace of older beliefs would be the cult of Latra recorded at the Roški slap waterfall downstream from Burnum. An altar to the goddess was erected by the ex-praetorian Gaius Turanius Severus. Perhaps the cult of Silvanus from the Delmatean area extended to the bordering Liburnian area, as attested by a relief of Silvanus from Čulišić in the territory of Scardona or a dedication to Silvano Domestico from the territory of Burnum. This god of fertility, similar to the Greek Pan, resided bewteen cultivated areas and forest wilderness, and was, quite appropriately, depicted as a goat.
On inscriptions found along the Krka River, mentions are made of Mars, Venus, Hercules, Mercury, and Neptune, but by far the greatest number of dedications were to Jupiter. The main cult was that of the Capitoline Triad (Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva), as is attested by numerous votive monuments, sculptures, and remains of architectural reliefs. The numerous dedications are an indication that a temple had been erected at Burnum to the supreme deity, and in the area of the military camp of Burnum a fragment was discovered of a sizeable architectural stone block with a depiction of Juno and a peacock, along with a monumental head from a sculpture of Jupiter. In the Burnum Archaeological Collection, two votive altars dedicated to Jupiter by beneficiaries from Burnum are on display, and they suggest that during the 2nd and 3rd centuries there was a post (statio) of these officials of the provincial governors.
The riverine Neptune was also worshipped, whose temple was located on an islet next to the crossing of Čavlinov buk waterfall, where a dedicatory inscription to that deity was discovered. The remains of the temple were certainly destroyed during the removal of travertine at the end of the 18th century, as information about this was provided by Alberto Fortis. During these works, the remains of columns and architraves with depictions of aquatic animals were found.
When Burnum achieved a city constitution during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, he probably chose Hercules as the divine patron, whose head is carved on the huge keystone of the archivolt of a public building. The imperial cult permeated the army, therefore the images of members of the imperial family were everywhere, from depictions on decorations (phalera) to the image of the emperor (imago), carried by the imaginifer in front of the legion. Patriotism was also reflected through state symbols, such as the relief of the she-wolf with Romulus and Remus from Burnum.
Traces of material culture that speak of public religious rites and sanctuaries are easier to note than those from the personal sphere. During the archaeological investigation of the military training ground (campus) in Burnum, miniature sculptures of the gods Harpocrates and Jupiter were found, which made up part of the inventory of the soldiers’ dormitories and the knapsacks carried on the way to war, so that the gods could always be prayed to or worshiped. Also, a bead from a bracelet depicting a Gorgon was found, which in antiquity had an apotropaic meaning.
Throughout the second century, Roman religion changed greatly throughout the Empire, especially under the influence of mystery and oriental cults. In this manner, Mithra was also worshiped in Burnum, the deity who enabled the believer’s soul to rise among the stars after death. A shrine to Cybele – the Great Mother of the Gods – was built in the area of the principium of the former camp, and was decorated with reliefs showing scenes from the life of her lover Attis. One fragment of the relief is exhibited in the collection, and it shows the dying Attis.
At Burnum, paganism was replaced by a new religion in Late Antiquity – Christianity. Although actual material remains of churches have not yet been discovered, we can certainly state that the community had been integrated into the Roman Christian state, and a city with such status as Burnum must have had a gathering place for the increasing number of believers.
