Cupra (1-3)

vol. IV p.1760-1761

Cupra

1) Cupra maritima (Κοῦπρα μαριτίμα Ptol. III 1, 18 p. 333 M.; Κύπρα Strab. V 241; Cypra Mela II 65; Ethn. Cuprensis CIL IX 5309. Lib. colon.). <40> A city in Picenum, now [as of 1901] Civita di Marano in Grottamare, which, as it seems, arose around a temple to the Sabine Dea Cupra [see nr. 3] (Sil. Ital. VIII 434 qua litoreae fumant altariae Cuprae; less correct Strab. loc. cit. ἐφεξῆς δὲ τὸ τῆς Κύπρας ἱερὸν Τυρρηνῶν ἵδρυμα καὶ κτίσμα, τὴν δ' Ἥραν ἐκεῖνοι Κύπραν καλοῦσι), which was then rebuilt by Hadrian (CIL IX 5294). It's also mentioned in Plin. III 111. Tab. Peut. Geogr. Rav. IV 31. V 1 p. 326 P. Liber colon. 226. 254 (ager C. lege Augustiana adsignatus). CIL VI 209. <50> About the ancient remains of the city, cf. Gamurrini Not. degli scavi 1888, 559-566. 1895, 18-22. Latin inscriptions from Cupra CIL IX 5286-5348. Ephem. epigr. VIII 221-234. 828, cf. CIL I² p. 62 n. V (Fasti Cupr.). For literature, cf. Mau Katalog der Inst. Bibl. I 130.

2) Cupra montana (Κοῦπρα Μοντάνα Ptolem. III 1, 45 p.351 M.; Ethn. Cuprensis Plin. n. h. III 111. CIL IX 5700. 5707), <60> Municipium (CIL IX 5705. XI 5718 = Orelli 88) in Picenum, at modern Masaccio (recently renamed Cupra Montana), south-west of Jesi. Lat. Inscr. from there CIL IX 5699-5729. For literature, Mommsen CIL IX p. 544.

[Hülsen.]

3) Cupra dea or mater was the name of a deity worshipped in Picenum and Umbria; their sanctuaries which we know about were found in these regions: <page break 1760/1761> one, highly respected, in the city Cupra Maritima (Sil. Ital. VIII 434. Strab. V 241, which says the goddess was Etruscan with no reasoning), which was rebuilt by Hadrian in the year 127 (CIL IX 5294), and a second not far from today's [from 1901's perspective] Fossato, as can be concluded from an inscription there (Jordan Quaestiones Umbricae, Ind. lect. Regim. 1882, 3f. Bücheler Umbr. 173). The name Cupra describes the goddess as 'the good' (Varro de l. l. V 159). <10> In Rome, we find the same naming for the deities of agriculture and the underworld (Bona dea, Bonus Eventus, bonus Kernus, dii manes). Since there is no certain other example of a female death goddess in Italian religion, she should be assigned to the first group [ie, deities of agriculture.]

[Aust.]

This article is referenced by: The Bona Dea