Fectio
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Roman Stone 
Saturday 11
September 2004 |
Bunnik
Memorial Stone to Viradecdis |
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Roman
name: -
Roman Province: Germania Inferior
Country: The Netherlands
Province: Utrecht
Nearest town: Utrecht
Nearest village: Bunnik |
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 Located on the
cyclepath to the south of the Koningsweg, the road from
Utrecht to Bunnik, stands a new replica of an ancient
memorial stone. This stone was once dedicated to the
god(ess) Viradecdis by sailors from Tungria (modern
Tongeren, near Liege/Luik in Belgium) in recognition of
some pledges they made. Apparently these people lived in
the vicus around castellum Fectio, which shows
there was ample traffic to this port. Viradecdis is also
known as a Batavian godess, whom the Batavian rebel Claudius
Civilis promised a memorial stone when he won a
victory over the Romans in Ad 69. She was probably a
Tungrian deity, becayse a similar shrine, dedicated by
Tungrians to Viratetis, is known from Hadrian's wall.
A reverent gesture to Viradecdis. |
The stone from the front. |
One of the 4 text signs. |
Right:
the original stone from the Rijksmuseum of Oudheden in
Leiden.
Chariovalda and Viradecdis. |
The
Inscription: DEAE
VIRIDECDI
CIVES TVNGRI
ET NAVTAE Q VI
FECTIONE
CONSISTVNT
V.S.L.M.
To
the god Viradecdis
have the citizens of
Tongeren who live at
Fectio fulfilled their
promise gladly and with
reason
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The
visit We had been doing a
promotion in Wijk
bij Duurstede that
day, when a former architect told us about the
memorial. I had not heard of it yet, so when we
had some spare time that afternoon we went to see
it.
Coming from the fort and the direction of Bunnik
(east) we had to drive to the next crossing,
doubling back across the cyclepath to the last
house, where the monument is located.
We found it a very nice stone, well-placed with
good explanations on the signs.
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Bibliography 
- Hessing, Wilfied et
al (1997):
Romeinen langs de Snelweg: Bouwstenen voor
Vechtens Verleden, (ROB, Uniepers Abcoude).
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