More information : (NY 56987410) Roman Altar found (TI) (1)
An altar of buff sandstone, 9" x 20", with plain sides was found
about 1867 on the line of the Maiden Way about 1/2ml south of the
fort at Bewcastle. Now in the crypt of Lanercost Priory. (2)
"In a field a short distance west of Oakstock was found a Roman
altar" - see newspaper cutting on illustration card.
ROMAN REMAINS.-A small, neat, and nearly perfect Roman
altar has within the last few days been dug up by drainers about a
quarter of a mile from the Roman Station at Bewcastle, with the
following inscription, dim but still legible:-
D E
S A N C T O
C O C I D I
A N N I V
V I C T O R
C E N N I
L E G I O N I
II A V G
It may be translated thus: To the holy God Cocidius, Annius Victor
Cennis, of the Second Legion styled
Augusta (dedicates this altar). The number and title of the
legion are not distinct; but as another stone has been found here
recording this legion, we may assume that the faint traces on this
stone refer to the same. This is the third altar found at Bewcastle
dedicated to Cocidius, and on one of them Mars is connected with
him. Another altar was found at Lancaster bearing both names, and it
has been supposed that Cocidius was a local name of Mars, and that
it has reference to Coccium (the name of one of the stations of the
10th Iter of the Itinerary of Antonine), which has been assumed to
be the present Lancaster. Altars dedicated to Cocidius have also
been found at Birdoswald, Bankshead, Howgill, Bleatarn, Scaleby,
and Hardriding. This altar was found within a few yards of the old
Roman Road called the Maden Way, which passes northward on the east
side of Bewcastle, and which may have been the 10th Iter of the
Itinerary. (3)
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