Under the Wrath of Iupiter: a Rock Inscription on the Hillside of the São Domingos Hillfort (Lousada, North of Portugal)

Abstract

The São Domingos Hillfort is a fortified site in the North of Portugal (municipality of Lousada,
Porto district) with pre-Roman origins that was also inhabited during the Roman period. In 2022,
on its southern hillside, an unusual Roman rock inscription was identified, which is presented here.
In addition to introducing this exceptional epigraphic discovery, this paper discusses its significance
in the context of the settlement, as well as its relevance in the daily life of the time, given its imprecative
character associated with property marking.

Keywords: Roman settlement, private property, imprecation, conuentus Bracarum, Hispania citerior.