Deceneus was a philosopher, astronomer, and priest

Proud to introduce to you Deceneus

Deceneus

Deceneus was a philosopher, astronomer, counselor of king Burebista (82 BC - 44 BC)

Life

82 BC - 44 BC

Names

Dekaineous, Deceneus, and Dicineus

Roles

Philosopher, astronomer and advisor of Burebista

Role in ancient history

Deceneus was a philosopher, astronomer, and priest who lived during the reign of the Dacian king Burebista.

Although there is limited information available about Deceneus, he is believed to have played a significant role in the religious and political life of the Dacian people.

Deceneus and Burebista

Deceneus was a philosopher, astronomer, and counselor of King Burebista.

He is described as a high priest and wizard who imparted his knowledge to the Dacian people.

According to Jordanes, Deceneus taught the Dacians to cut their vines and to live in harmony with nature.

He is also said to have taught them about the stars and the heavens.

Deceneus is believed to have played a significant role in the political life of the Dacian people.

He is said to have advised Burebista on matters of state and to have helped him consolidate his power.

In Strabo's account, Deceneus is the second most powerful man among the Dacian and Getic tribes and their high priest.

His support for Burebista is key to the latter's attaining and holding power over all the tribes.

King role

After Burebista's death, Deceneus succeeded to political power in a reduced area, but he does not appear to have taken the royal title.

Dacian society and culture

Although there is limited information available about Deceneus, he is remembered as an important figure in Dacian history.

His teachings and influence on Burebista are believed to have played a significant role in shaping Dacian society and culture.

Iordanes account

Thus Iordanes portrays the earnestness and understanding with which at least the sacerdotal class concerned the scientific preoccupations, and further on "the most prominent and wise men whom theology has taught, advised them to honor certain divinities and sanctuaries by making them priests, and giving them the name of pileats "(Getica XI, 71)

Deceneu removed the Bacchic or Dionysiac cult associated with vine and organ harvesting. He is the first to oppose vigorously the penetration of foreign cults into Dacia. That is why it is not by accident that it determined the royal authority to order the destruction of the vine - the sacred plant of Dyonisos - and that all the Dacian priesthood supported him in this extraordinary act. As a great priest and viceroy, then himself a king, Deceneu had a dual authority, moral (cutting the vice of drunkenness) and politics (by organizing tribes and sacerdotal caste).

The Decenean made a profound social and religious reform of the Geto-Dacian people, famous in the ancient world. He imposed sobriety and temperance, demanded the people obedience to commandments as the effect of education through righteousness, the Getae being recognized, after Herodotus, as the most righteous of the Thracians.

Iordanes comments: "By sharing knowledge of physics, he naturally made them respect their laws that they have in their written form until today and call them belagines." In fact, belagine laws are the laws of the Goths, not of the Getae, the term being encountered in Origo Gothica (555), although the author of the text claimed it was ancient laws. More specifically, it is the Ostrogoths' laws. Jordan's work is not considered a historical source of trust, its purpose being to assign a prestigious past to the new ruling class of the Goths.

Deceneus summary

Deceneus is remembered as a philosopher, astronomer, and counselor who played a significant role in the religious and political life of the Dacian people.

Although much of his teachings and influence have been lost to history, his impact on Dacian society and culture is still felt today.

Content created by:
Alex Costin

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