The sacred dedications of donum(inscriptions) and votum(inscriptions)  are unique in their meanings as they hold a different belief other than Christianity with them; arrival of these two system of tradition in the west clarifies Bible’s geographical stand and points to the land of origin and source of origin of Christianity.

While reading Ulrike Ehmig’ book, Donum dedit: Charakteristika einer Widmungsformel in lateinischen Sakralinschriften. Pietas, (in BMCR, 2018.03.27 ), reviewed by Ghislaine van der Ploeg, it is quite evident that the term ‘donum’ and ‘votum’ are not covered under biblical traditions of their times.

The author points out that ‘there are over 1,500 donum-inscriptions which have not yet been the focus of a specialist study’. The inscriptions relating to both ‘donum’ and ‘votum’ are written, as Ulrike Ehmig suggests, in Latin. The author does not highlight on the meaning of these two types of ‘dedications’. Name of the ‘God’ to whom the donum inscriptions were offered has not been clarified. The most interesting message of this book is inherent in its 12-chapters which shows that the two types of ‘dedications’ are no more to be found in the present areas where they are located.

The book highlights that while donum signifies its relationship with erection of altars, votum marks putting of statues. Both being part of a single faith that see two tradition of ‘offerings’; closer relationship with god that invokes ‘salvation’ comes out clearly on the purpose of such votive offerings. When greater number of votums is noticed than the donum, it suggests belief in image offerings to the God whose followers they were. The Latin inscriptions which contain the phrase donum dedit is very historic in nature that identifies ‘Dona Dhatu’ of Pali texts.Here ‘dhatu’ means relics.

Dona was the person( derived from biblical Dan) who distributed Buddha’s relics among eight kings of Jambudvipa, and he himself took a share secretly. He built a stupa( in the region of the Danites) and put the relics inside it that was called Done Stupa. Rice –stupas are offered even today on special occasions to mark the auspicious day of the year for blessings of the God of Salvation.

Meaning of various terms like donum dedit , decreto decurionum, donis donatus, decuriones,  IIviri and dedit dedicavi, should seen through Pali texts.

Concentration of dona in Rome and Italy whereas vota in the Balkan provinces adds few lines to the nature of ancient migration to whole of Europe.