#mauretania

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SUOVETAURILIA

This altar (AD 2nd c.) stands in front of the Capitolium in the forum of the Mauretanian city of Cuicul (Djemila) The relief on the front of the altar depicts the sacrifice known as the suovetaurilia, which entailed the sacrifice of a pig (sus, but replaced by a cock in this relief), a ram (ovis) and a bull (taurus). The suovetaurilia was a purification ritual (lustratio) celebrated on important occasions.

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