Reading Roman Altars

To read an altar, we must first become familiar with its anatomy. For alongside the text inscribed on the die, we can also ‘read’ the function of the object from its shape and decoration.

• Focus : bowl shaped depression to receive offering
• Pulvini: bolsters, depicted here as bunches of incense
• Capital: the head of the altar
• Die: inscribed surface
• Base: The lower section of the altar. Some altars stood on a specially made platform

The inscriptions all follow a similar format, there lots of abbreviations and no spaces between words. Also remember most Roman citizens had 3 names.

 Let’s look at some examples

These examples are on display at the Great Northern Museum in Newcastle ALL dedicated to Mithras from his temple at Carrowbough. (There are replicas in the actual temple)

There is a hole behind the head where a torch could be put to light up the dark temple and make the alter quite impressive. The dedication to Mithras is followed by the 3 names of the dedicant, then his title “prefect” followed by the vow. It does not give the unit as the temple is only yards from the fort.

This has a focus for offerings. In the dedication Mithras is reduced to M. The cohort has a very long title and from that the altar can be dated to between 211AD and 222AD (the time when cohort used that title) it would appear the title frequently added too.

D is dedication M is Mithras and S is sacred. Then his name followed by his position. Then his voting tribe in Rome and where he can from, which is Italy (very unusual).  Colonia Septimia Aurelia gives us the region L gives the clue and has the same name as a rather more famous ancestor confirming Larinum, which became a “colony” in208AD, means that it dates from after that date.

It is all a bit like advance “Round Britain Quiz”. All thanks to Prof Ian Haynes

Later in the year will going to Maryport, where the altars are dedicated to Jupiter i.e. IOM not M. Mithras.

Reading Roman Tombstones

The tombstones followed a sort of standard format, but had a lot of abbreviations. There is a lot of information in the image

Flavinus’ Tombstone in Hexham Abbey

Flavinus was a standard-bearer of the ala Petriana, and his tombstone follows a typical cavalry memorial formula. This junior officer joined the regiment at 18 and served for 7 years He is on his horse holding his standard, with a barbarian crouching under the horse.

Flavinus was probably buried at Corbridge, when the regiment was stationed there. It was probably transferred to the Abbey in the 7th century, when the stone was taken from the Roman site. to build the Abbey.

The ala Petriana was an elite cavalry regiment of 500 men raised in Gaul and later increased to 1000 men, when the regiment was transferred to Carlisle.

Line 1: To the spirits of the departed -FLAVINVS

Line 2: Cavalryman of PETR regiment, Standard Bearer

Line 3: of troop of CANDIDA died at 25years

Line 4: after 7 years of service-is buried here

Victor

  Victor on a couch possibly at his own funnel banquet, he has his own servant under the couch. He is a former slave and it is interesting that a mere trooper had his own servant. (Or partner?). This is on display at the South Shields site.

Regina

Regina is sat on a high wicker chair. She has a long flowing dress and is working with her wool in a bag on her right. On her left she is opening a jewellery box symbolising her wealth from her husband. Barates comes from Palmyrene in Syria. Regina again a former slave came from a tribe in Southern England. This indicates how international the Empire was and a master could free his slave and marry her. The inscription was also in Palmyrenen.