Naria

For the subdistrict in Bangladesh, see Naria Upazila.

The statuette of Naria from the Muri statuette group.

Naria was a goddess in Gallo-Roman religion who appears to have been venerated only in what is now the western part of Switzerland. Her nature and responsibilities remain obscure.^[1]

She is mentioned only twice in known inscriptions from the Gallo-Roman era. One, on a stone altar from Cressier, reads Nariae Novsantiae T. Frontin. Hibernvs V.S.L.M,^[2] that is: "To Naria Nousantia, Titus Frontinius Hibernus willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow". The epithet 'Nousantia' is otherwise unknown.^[3] The other inscription is on the base of a statuette from the Muri statuette group. That inscription, Deae Nariae Reg(io) Arvre(nsis) Cvr(ante) Feroc(e) L(iberto),^[4] translates as: "The Aar area association dedicated this to the goddess Naria; the freedman Ferox served as curator."

The Muri statuette is also the only known depiction of Naria. It shows her in a long sleeved dress and with a diadem in her hair. The hands which held her divine attributes are missing. This depiction of Naria follows a generic style then used in Italy mostly for depictions of the goddess of luck, Fortuna. This indicates that Naria might also have been conceived of as a goddess of good luck and blessings.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Kaufmann-Heinimann, Annemarie (2002) (in German). Dea Artio, die Bärengöttin von Muri: römische Bronzestatuetten aus einem ländlichen Heiligtum. Glanzlichter aus dem Bernischen Historischen Museum. 9. Zürich: Chronos Verlag. pp. 44–46. ISBN 303400544X. 
2. ^ CIL XIII: 5151.
3. ^ Guillaume Roussel. "Nousantia - 6981" (in French). L'Arbre celtique. http://www.arbre-celtique.com/encyclopedie/nousantia-6981.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-29. 
4. ^ CIL XIII: 5161.