Jupiter Column

A Jupiter Column is a monument belonging to a type widespread in Roman Germania.

Jupiter Column pillars express the religious beliefs of their time. They were erected in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, mostly near Roman settlements or villas in the Germanic provinces. Some examples also occur in Gaul and Britain.

The base of the monuments was normally formed by a Viergötterstein, in itself a common monument type, usually depicting Juno, Minerva, Mercury, and Hercules. This would support a Wochengötterstein, which, in turn, supported a column or pillar, normally decorated with a scale pattern. The column was crowned with a statue of Jupiter, usually on horseback, trampling a Giant.