Northumberland Yesterday and To-day eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 251 pages of information about Northumberland Yesterday and To-day.

Northumberland Yesterday and To-day eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 251 pages of information about Northumberland Yesterday and To-day.

Of carven figures there are several besides the standard bearer already mentioned.  The best is a figure of Cybele, with elaborate draperies, but unfortunately headless; another, of Victory, holds a palm branch in the left hand, but the right arm is missing.  A soldier is shown with spear, shield, and ornate head-piece; and a representation of a river-god, the genius of the Tyne, is worthy of notice.  He is a bearded figure, after the style of the figures of Nilus, or the representations in old prints of Father Thames.  From Procolitia comes an altar to the goddess Coventina, a name not met with elsewhere, the presiding genius of the well in that station.  She is shown reclining on a water-lily leaf, holding in one hand a water-plant, and in the other a goblet from which a stream of water runs.  An elaborate carving of three water nymphs, most probably meant to be in attendance on the goddess, is one of the few pieces of sculpture that are not greatly mutilated.

Centurial stones are numerous, having been put up at all parts of the Wall to record the building of such and such parts by various centurions and their companies.  The mark >, which Dr. Hodgkin supposes to be a representation of the vine rod, a centurion’s symbol of authority, and the sign C or Q, are used to signify a century.  Thus a stone inscribed Q VAL.  MAXI. states that the century of Valerius Maximus built that part of the Wall.  Two or three small altars are inscribed DIBVS VETERIBVS—­“To the Old Gods”; and Mars Thingsus is well represented.

A very important relic of Roman times found at Cilurnum was a bronze tablet of citizenship, giving this coveted privilege to a number of soldiers who had served in twenty-five campaigns and received honourable discharge.  There have been only three specimens of this diploma found in Britain, and all are preserved in the British Museum.  There are many memorial tablets erected by wives to their husbands, and husbands to their wives, which leads to much speculation as to how these ladies, high-born Roman, native Briton, or freed-woman, liked their sojourn in a small garrison town on the breezy heights of a Northumbrian moorland.  Those ladies who dwelt at Cilurnum, however, had not so much cause to complain, for such natural advantages as were to be had were certainly theirs, in that sheltered spot.  The scenery round about Cilurnum is quiet, peaceful and pastoral, altogether different from the wild beauty of Cuddy’s Crag, Limestone Corner, or Whinshields.

Having now noticed the two chief stations on the line of the Wall, it will be interesting to follow the course of the rampart itself throughout its journey across Northumberland, though to do so in detail is impossible within the limits of so small a volume as the present one.  Neither would it be necessary, or desirable, for the last word in detailed description has been said long ago in the two wonderfully exhaustive treatises on the subject by Dr. Bruce.

Copyrights
Project Gutenberg
Northumberland Yesterday and To-day from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.