Zibelthiurdos

Zibelthiurdos is a Thracian god of heaven, lightning and rain, whose name is known mainly from epigraphic monuments. The only known reference to this god so far in ancient literature is in Cicero's speech against Pizon, where he is mentioned under the name Jovi Vrii (Iuppiter Urius).[1][2] According to Cicero, Jupiter Urius had the most ancient and venerated of the barbarian temples, which was sacked by invading armies and resulted in diseases from which those afflicted never recovered.

There is not enough information to draw clear conclusions about his cult, worship, or functions. The preserved images give reason to connect Zibelthiurdos with the ancient Greek God Zeus the Thunderer; he is depicted holding a lightning bolt in his raised right hand, and to his right an eagle with wings spread out.

Names and etymology

The god is otherwise known as Zbelthiourdes, Zbelthourdos, Zbelsourdos, Zbeltiurdus, Svelsurdus.

His name speculatively means "Lightning Carrier" or "Thunderer", but it is uncertain whether Zibelthiurdos is his name or an epithet. Ivan Duridanov indicated the word Zbel- is related to Latvian zibele 'lightning'.[3]

Cultic locales
Photo of an epigraphic dedication to deity Zberthourdos (sic) and Iambadoule.

Zibelthiurdos shrines have been found near the village of Golemo Selo in the Kyustendil Region – an area inhabited by the Thracian Dentellets tribe – as well as near Kapitan Dimitrievo village in the Pazardzhik Province. His image was discovered in a relief from the Esquiline Hill, where he is depicted along with Yambadula (or Iambadoule), a figure of an unclear nature.[4]

Other uses

The Zbelsurd Glacier of Antarctica is named after the god.

See also

References
  1. Cicero. "Latin Texts and Translations". In Pisonem. University of Chicago. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  2. Tomashek,Die Alten Thrakern, II, page 62
  3. Duridanov, Ivan (1985). Die Sprache der Thraker. Bulgarische Sammlung (in German). Vol. 5. Hieronymus Verlag. p. 69. ISBN 3-88893-031-6.
  4. Puhvel, Jaan. "[Reviewed Work: Die thrakischen Sprachreste by Dimiter Detschew]". In: Language 33, no. 3 (1957): 446. Accessed June 29, 2021. doi:10.2307/411167.

Further reading
  • Georgieff, Dimitar (2017). "The mysterious goddess Iambadule and her consort god Sbelsurd". 10.13140/RG.2.2.10621.87524.
  • Попов, Димитър [Popov, Dimitar]. "Збелсурд" [Sbelsurd]. In: Годишник на Софийския университет "Св. Кл. Охридски": Исторически факултет, специалност Етнология [ANNUAIRE DE L’UNIVERSITE DE SOFIA "ST. KLIMENT OHRIDSKI", FACULTE D’HISTOIRE - STUDIA ETHNOLOGICA]. Tom 2. София: Университетско издателство "Св. Кл. Охридски”, 2012. pp. 113-120. ISSN 1312-9406.
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