Editing Nodens (section)

=== Lydney Park complex ===
[[File:Roman Bath House - geograph.org.uk - 1318767.jpg|thumb|right|Bath house at the [[Lydney Park]] temple complex]]

The temple complex at [[Lydney Park]], situated on a steep bluff overlooking the [[Severn Estuary]], is rectangular, measuring {{nowrap|{{convert|72|by|54|m|ft|abbr=on}},}} with a central [[cella]] measuring {{nowrap|{{convert|29|by|49.5|m|yd|abbr=on}},}} and its north-western end is divided into three chambers 6.3&nbsp;m deep. This imposing, [[Romano-Celtic temple]] building has been interpreted as an ''incubatio'' or dormitory for sick [[pilgrim]]s to sleep and experience a vision of divine presence in their dreams. The site may have been chosen because it offered a clear view of the [[River Severn]] near the point at which the [[Severn Bore]] begins. Its position within an earlier [[Iron Age]] [[hill fort]] may also be relevant.<ref name="green">{{cite book|last=Green |first=Miranda J. |title=Exploring the World of the Druids |publisher=[[Thames & Hudson]] |year=2005 |isbn=0-500-28571-3 |place=London, England |page=119}}</ref>

The temple complex was first excavated by [[Charles Bathurst]] in 1805, then reexcavated in 1928–1929 by [[Mortimer Wheeler|Sir Mortimer Wheeler]] and [[Tessa Wheeler]], who produced an extensive report of the findings at the site.{{Sfn|Carey|1984|pp=2–3}} Although no anthropomorphic depiction of the deity has been discovered, a dozen figures of dogs were found at the site, presumably deposited at the shrine as offerings by pilgrims due to the healing symbolism associated with dogs. As one of these figurines has a human face, it is possible that the deity himself could have been perceived as taking the form of an animal. A bronze arm whose hand displays the spoon-shaped fingernails characteristic of someone suffering from iron deficiency gives further evidence of the healing attributes of Nodens. Findings at the site include bronze [[relief]]s depicting a sea deity, fishermen and tritons, a bronze plaque of a woman, about 320 pins, nearly 300 bracelets,{{efn|In fact, over 270 bracelets with many more suggested to be in private ownership. As the findings attested metalworking at Lydney so it could be assumed that the bracelets were produced on-site.<ref>{{cite book |first=Ellen |last=Swift |title=Roman Dress Accessories |place=Princes Risborough, England |publisher=Shire Publications |year=2003 |page=10ff}}</ref>}} and over 8,000 coins. Also present were oculists' stamps used to mark sticks of eye ointment, like those at Gallo-Roman healing sanctuaries in antiquity. The deity was further associated with aquatic and solar imagery, similar to other curative shrines of Roman Gaul.{{sfn|Aldhouse-Green|2008|pp=208–210}}

Several inscriptions to Nodens have been found, one on a lead [[curse tablet]] reading:

{| class="wikitable"
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| {{lang|la|Devo Nodenti Silvianus anilum perdedit demediam partem donavit Nodenti inter quibus nomen Seniciani nollis petmittas sanitatem donec perfera(t) usque templum [No]dentis

Rediviva}}
| To the god Nodens: Silvianus has lost his ring and given half (its value) to Nodens. Among those who are called Senicianus do not allow health until he brings it to the temple of Nodens.

(This curse) comes into force again.<ref>[https://romaninscriptionsofbritain.org/inscriptions/306 RIB 306. Curse upon Senicianus]</ref><ref>[[Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum|CIL]] 07, 00140 = [[Roman Inscriptions of Britain|RIB]]-01, 00306 (301–410 AD)</ref>
|}

Other inscriptions identify Nodens, in various spellings, with the Roman god [[Mars (mythology)|Mars]]:

{| class="wikitable"
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| {{lang|la|D(eo) M(arti) Nodonti Flavius Blandinus armatura v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito)}}
| To the god Mars Nodons, Flavius Blandinus, weapon-instructor, gladly and deservedly fulfilled his vow.<ref>[https://romaninscriptionsofbritain.org/inscriptions/305 RIB 305. Dedication to Mars Nodons]</ref><ref>CIL 07, 00138 = RIB-01, 00305 (301–410 AD)</ref>
|-
| {{lang|la|Pectillus votum quod promissit deo Nudente M(arti) dedit}}
| Pectillus gave to the god Nudens Mars the votive offering which he had promised.<ref>[https://romaninscriptionsofbritain.org/inscriptions/307 RIB 307. Dedication to Nudens Mars]</ref><ref>CIL 07, 00139 = RIB-01, 00307 (301–410 AD)</ref>
|-
| {{lang|la|D(eo) M(arti) N(odenti) T(itus) Flavius Senilis pr(aepositus) rel(igionis?) ex stipibus pos{s}uit o(pitu)lante Victorino interp(re)tiante}}
| To the god Mars Nodens, Titus Flavius Senilis, superintendent of the cult, had (this mosaic) laid from the offerings with assistance from Victorinus the interpreter<ref>CIL 07, 00137 = RIB-02-04, 02448,03 (371–400 AD)</ref>
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