The cross and the presence or lack of Christian influences

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Coventina's well appears to have been dedicated by a number of Germans in the Roman army.

It is situated near Hadrian's wall in the U.K., by the springs of Carrawburgh. Coventina was worshipped in other countries, as well. A nymphaeum was unearthed at the same site, which was excavated in 1876.

   

[Image credits: Allason-Jones, 1996]


Artist's re-creation of the temple dedicated to Coventina:




Another dedication to Coventina:


[Right image courtesy of Getty Images]

Coventina was particularly prevalent in Celtic areas (some refer to her as "Celtic Romano") and some say she is purely British and of Celtic origin but this is frequently disputed (dedications to Conventina have been found in Gaul and Spain, as well). She may have descended from Greco-Roman water goddesses. A Greco-Roman-style temple/nymphaeum was present, with structures and dedications from Roman soldiers at the Carrawburgh excavation and coins were found in the ancient fountain, a custom that is said to be of southern origin. A similar sculpture of water nymphs (right) was found in a Roman fort in Northumberland. Perhaps Coventina nymph triptiches are a synthesis of Roman and Celtic customs, as the Celts had a Trinity of Goddesses (not specifically associated with water) in their beliefs.


Nymphs at the spring of Les Fumades.


Coventina's attributes are a jug of liquid and sometimes also a branch. She is usually shown naked or half-naked.

Le Val des Nymphe in Provençe is an area of pools, botanical gardens, and medieval stone structures.


Anahatais, a Persian water goddess of the Mt. Hara region, holds a branch and a chalice of water:



The following Persian relief is of interest because some say that the goddess on the left is Anahita (not all agree on her identity but most acknowledge her as a goddess). Note how she is holding a VMS-like oversized ring, a symbol of the investiture of royalty. There are other similar sculptures in which Anahita is similarly conferring a large ring to the king. Note also the grotto-like enclosure:



[Image credit: Philippe Chavin, Wikipedia]

A Sassanid vessel shows what is assumed to be Anahita, divinity of the waters, holding a branch in one hand and flower in the other. She was considered the source of the "world river". She has also been associated (or possibly conflated) with Artemis.

Kastalia of Delphi (associated with the prophetic waters of the Castalian spring). Note her body proportions, the leaning posture, and jug (all echoed in later depictions of Coventina). There are also nymphs associated with the Delphi cave: