Deodorant Optimo Maximo

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Inscription above the portal of the Schlägl collegiate church (Upper Austria)
Tower inscription on the Dresden Court Church (1755)

DOM (also as DOM ) is a Latin acronym that is often found on Christian tombs, sacred buildings and votive offerings of the early modern period and means Deo Optimo Maximo ("The most gracious and exalted God"). The inscription is sometimes extended to DOMS and then means Deo Optimo Maximo Sacrum (“consecrated to the best and greatest God”).

The words derive directly from the title of Jupiter in his capacity as the main and state god of the Roman Empire , who was called to Iupiter Optimus Maximus and who had his temple on the slope of the Capitol . Optimus and maximus are superlatives of bonus (“good”) and magnus (“great”), whereby optimus was originally derived from ops (“helpful power”). In relation to a single god, the superlative is to be understood as an elative . The dedication IOM - Iovi Optimo Maximo can be seen regularly on consecration or grave steles. In addition, the inscription IOVI OPTIMO MAXIMO UXELLIMO (Germany, CIL XIII, 5145 ) with the Latinized word uxellimo for the Celtic uksello- (Irish uasal , Welsh uchel , Breton uhel ) "high" was found: uxellimus , "the highest".

Other cults, such as that of Mithras or Sol Invictus , also adopted the formula of consecration; there you can find the acronyms DIM ( Deo Invicto Mithrae - "The invincible god Mithras") or DSII ( Deo Soli Invicto Imperatori - "The invincible ruler sun god ").

The fact that the formula DOM is based on the Roman model is reminiscent of the late ancient Christian syncretistic tradition of taking over or occupying pagan terms, calendar days and places and thereby displacing the Roman religion ; However, the inscription only appeared since the Renaissance and thus rather represents a reception of antiquity .

The inscription DOM has nothing to do with the church name Dom , see there.

Extensions

Inscription on the Luther Church (Leer) , 1675

Common extensions are

  • DOMS - Deo Optimo Maximo Sacrum ("Holy to the best and greatest God")
  • DTOM - Deo Trino / Ter Optimo Maximo ("The three-fold / three-fold best and greatest God")
  • DTOMA - Deo Trino Optimo Maximo Annuente ("By granting the threefold best and greatest God")

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