08-28-2010, 07:17 AM
Can anyone help me with a picture of the Nymphaeum altar found at Carrawburgh/Brocolita?
I've hunted on line and in the JRS 1961 article (one side photo in long shot, but not of the inscription) , and no joy so far.
The altar is this one below , RIB 1563a. I'm unsure where it is currently housed.
From http://www.roman-britain.org/places/brocolitia.htm ( a resource I am always grateful for)
Thanks for your help- you know you're desperate when you start trawling Flickr and Picasa and expanding pictures....
I've hunted on line and in the JRS 1961 article (one side photo in long shot, but not of the inscription) , and no joy so far.
The altar is this one below , RIB 1563a. I'm unsure where it is currently housed.
From http://www.roman-britain.org/places/brocolitia.htm ( a resource I am always grateful for)
Quote:NYMPHIS T GN
LOCI • M • HISPNS
MODESTINVS • PAE
COH • T • BAT • PO SE
ET SVIS • L • M
Nymphis et Genio
Loci Marcus Hispanius
Modestinus Praefectus
Cohortis Primae Batavorum pro se
et suis libens merito (posuit)
"To the Nymphs and the Genius
of this place, Marcus Hispanius
Modestinus, Prefect
of the First Cohort of Batavians, on behalf of himself
and his (family), willingly and deservedly (set this up)."
(RIB 1563a; JRS li (1961), p.193, no.9; altarstone)
This shrine was discovered in 1957 to the immediate rear of the Mithraeum. Excavations by Dr. D.J. Smith in 1960 revealed a small altar resting on a pedestal, a stone-lipped well and an apsidal stone bay. The lightweight nature of the structural remains suggest that it was not intended to support a roof, and was open to the air. The altar is carved from sandstone and bears the same inscription front and rear, obviously meant to be read from either side, again suggesting that it stood in the centre of an open shrine. The Brocolitia Nymphaeum was probably built sometime during the third century and seemingly fell into disuse early in the fourth. There are two altarstones dedicated to the Water Nymphs at Carrawburgh, one by a detachment of Leg VI Victrix (vide RIB 1547 supra), which was uncovered at Coventina's shrine, and the other by Coh I Bat shared with the Guardian Spirit (vide RIB 1563a supra) found at the site of the Nymphaeum.
Thanks for your help- you know you're desperate when you start trawling Flickr and Picasa and expanding pictures....