User:CalypsoOfMacedon1/Temple of Diana (Nemi)

Diana the Healer

This sanctuary was sacred to one of Diana’s epithets known as Diana the Healer. Diana’s role as a healer came about with the mythology of Hippolytus and his resurrection. This mythology along with a similarity in healing practices, is also the reason why Diana and Asclepius are so closely related. During the lifetime of this sanctuary and across the ancient Mediterranean, religious healing was something many people sought out in order to cure whatever ailments were present with them at the time. We can tell that this temple in particular was related to Diana’s healing ability due to the remains of anatomical votive offerings found at the site. Anatomical votives (at this site and others throughout the ancient world) were made of terracotta and/or bronze. These were presented to Diana in her temple. These types of votives could include moldings of: feet, eyes, hands, and different organs of the human body. Specifically at Nemi, we find votives of the eyes and a molding of the organs in the abdomen. Aside from anatomical votives, the other striking find from excavations done at the site are votives of surgical instruments. This brings us back to Asclepius and Diana being venerated in a similar light, as at temples of Asclepius we also see votives of surgical instruments. The sanctuary of Diana at Nemi was located at a crossroads that was south from Rome, so anybody arriving or leaving would pass through the Via Appia and across this sanctuary. With the sanctuary having the location it does, we see a lot of “religious traffic” throughout its history. Thousands of people come to witness and get assistance from Diana. This healing sanctuary and its followers were a bit different from other forms around the Mediterranean. Diana’s cult was a strong community.