| Summary : Roman altars, inscribed stones, building stones, and a tombstone have been found in the vicinity of the Roman fort of South Shields (Arbeia). The altars are dedicated to Aesculapius, Brigantia, the gods the Preservers, Mars Alator, Julius Verax, the 5th Cohort of Gauls, Jupiter and one reading CASSIUS VIR VS VLM. The following inscribed stones have also been found: dedication-slab to Marcus Aurelius; a building stone to the 6th Legion; part of a frieze to Domitius Epicetus. A fragment of gabled tombstone inscribed `D M'. Part of a slab inscribed `occulus p p'. A bronze letter with a stud. |
More information : (NZ 365 679) The following Roman altars have been found in or close to South Shields (Arbeia) (NZ 36 NE 4):
No 1052 in 1895, dedicated to Aesculapius.
No 1053 in 1895, dedicated to Brigantia.
No 1054 in 1672, to the gods the Preservers.
No 1055 in 1887, to Mars Alator.
No 1057 in 1897 to Julius Verax.
No 1058 in 1732 (illegible).
No 1059 in 1880 to the 5th Cohort of Gauls.
The following inscribed stones have also been found:
No 1060 in 1893, dedication-slab to Marcus Aurelius.
No 1061 in 1883, building stone to the 6th Legion.
No 1056 , part of frieze to Domitius Epicetus.
Other stones, etc. found are:
No 1066 Fragment of gabled tombstone inscribed `D M', circa 1732.
No 1067 Part of slab inscribed `occulus p p' in 1876.
No 1070 Building stone, in 1876.
No 1071 A bronze letter with stud found between 1875 and 1885.
Nos 1052-53, 1057, 1059-61, 1066-67 are in South Shields Museum. No 1054 in Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Nos 1055-56, 1071 in Black Gate Museum, Newcastle upon Tyne. No 1058 in Chapter Library, Durham. No 1070 lost. (1)
An altar to Jupiter was found at South Shields some time before 1863 (not noticed by RIB - authority 1). In Ashmolean Museum. (2)
Another altar reading CASSIUS VIR VS VLM was found at South Shields in 1959. In South Shields Museum. (3)
A further building stone was found in 1961 near the east angle of the fort and was probably asociated with the fort wall. (4)
Additional reference. (5) |