PLV Inscriptions (High Rochester)

Introduction

These are the inscriptions from the outpost fort of High Rochester (Bremenium). The easternmost outpost fort, its occupation seems to have closely matched that of Hadrian’s Wall itself, some 34km to the south (along Dere Street).

Inventory

RIB 1262

RIB 1262: Altar to the genius of the emperors and the standards, found in the strong-room of the fort at High Rochester in 1852. G(enio) d(omini) n(ostri) et / Signorum / coh(ortis) I Vardul[l(orum)] / et n(umeri) Explora/tor(um) Brem(eniensium) Gor(diani) / Egnat(ius) Lucili/anus leg(atus) Aug(usti) pr(o) pr(aetore) / curante Cassio / Sabiniano trib(uno) (‘For the genius of our Lord and of the standards of the First Cohort of Vardulli and of the Unit of Scouts of Bremenium, called “Gordian”, Egnatius Lucilianus, emperor’s propraetorian legate, (set this up) under the charge of the tribune Cassius Sabinianus’). Source: RIB I p.416.

RIB 1263

RIB 1263: Altar to the genius of the emperors and the standards, found in the baths at High Rochester in 1773. Genio et Signis / coh(ortis) I F(idae) Vardul(lorum) / c(ivium) R(omanorum) eq(uitatae) (milliaria) / T(itus) Licinius Valeri/anus [t]rib(unus) (‘For the genius and the standards of the First Loyal Cohort of Vardulli, Roman citizens, part-mounted, one thousand strong, the tribune Titus Licinius Valerianus (set this up)’). Source: RIB I p.417.

RIB 1264

RIB 1264: Altar for Hercules found inside the north-west angle of the fort at High Rochester around 1729. Deo / Hercu/lenti (‘For the god Hercules’). Source: RIB I p.417.

RIB 1265

RIB 1265: Dedication to Matunus found on the medieval motte at Elsdon, 11.25 km. SE of High Rochester about 1715. Deo Matuno / pro salute / M(arci) [A]ur[eli ̣ ̣ ̣] / [ ̣ ̣ ̣] / bono generis / humani impe/rante G(aius) ⟦Iulius / Marcus⟧ leg(atus) / Aug(usti) pr(o) pr(aetore) posuit / ac dedicavit / c(uram) a(gente) Caecil(io) Optato trib(uno) (‘For the god Matunus, for the welfare of Marcus Aurelius …, reigning for the good of humanity, Gaius Julius Marcus, emperor’s propraetorian legate, set up and dedicated this, under the charge of the tribune Caecilius Optatus’). Source: RIB I p.417.

RIB 1266

RIB 1266: Altar for Minerva found in a large building on the W side of the S gate of the fort before 1810. Deae Mi/nerv(a)e Iul(ius) / Carantus s(ingularis) c(onsularis) (‘For the goddess Minerva, Julius Carantus, singularis consularis, (set this up)’). Source: RIB I p.418.

RIB 1267

RIB 1267: Altar for Minerva from High Rochester found before 1810. Deae sanctae / Minervae / Flavius Se/verinus / trib(unus) aram / dedit (‘For the holy goddess Minerva, the tribune Flavius Severinus gave this altar’). Source: RIB I p.418.

RIB 1268

RIB 1268: Altar for Minerva from High Rochester found before 1810. Deae Mi/nervae et / Genio col/legi Caecil(ius) / Optatus trib(unus) / v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito) (‘For the goddess Minerva and to the Genius of the guild, the tribune Caecilius Optatus willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow’). Source: RIB I p.418.

RIB 1269

RIB 1269: Altar for Moguntes set up by a decurion from High Rochester found before 1810. Dis / Mo(g)unti/bus Iul(ius) / Firmin/us dec(urio) f(ecit) (‘For the Moguntes gods, the decurion Julius Firminus made this’). Source: RIB I p.418.

RIB 1270

RIB 1270: Altar for the goddess Roma found before 1602 at High Rochester. D(eae) R(omae) s(acrum) / dupl(icarii) n(umeri) Explor(atorum) / Bremen(iensium) aram / institverunt / n(atali) eius c(urante) Caep(ione) / Charitino trib(uno) / v(otum) s(olventes) l(ibentes) m(erito) (‘Sacred tp the goddess Roma, the duplicarii of the unit of Scouts of Bremenium set up this altar on her birthday, under the charge of the tribune Caepio Charitinus, willingly and deservedly fulfilling their vow’). Source: RIB I p.419.

RIB 1271

RIB 1271: Altar for Silvanus Pantheus found near the NW angle of the fort at High Rochester in 1729. Silvano / [Pa]ntheo / [p]ro sa[lute] / [Ru]fin[i] trib(uni) et / [L]ucillae (uxoris) eius / Eutychus / lib(ertus) c(um) s(uis) / v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito) (‘For Silvanus Pantheus, for the welfare of Rufinus, the tribune, and Lucilla, his (wife), Eutychus the freedman, with his dependants, willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow’). Source: RIB I p.419.

RIB 1272

RIB 1272: Dedication slab for Mithras found at High Rochester before 1730. Deo Invicto et Soli soc(io) / sacrum pro salute et / incolumitate imp(eratoris) Caes(aris) / M(arci) Aureli Antonini Pii Felic(is) / Aug(usti) L(ucius) Caecilius Optatus / trib(unus) coh(ortis) I Vardul(lorum) cum con[se]/craneis votum Deo [ ̣ ̣ ̣] / a solo extruct[um ̣ ̣ ̣] (‘Sacred to the invincible god, the Sun and companion, for the welfare and safety of the Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Pius Felix Augustus, Lucius Caecilius Optatus, tribune of the First Cohort of Vardulli, with his fellow-devotees [erected this building], vowed for the god, constructed from ground level’). Source: RIB I p.420.

RIB 1273

RIB 1273: Altar for Victory and Peace found near Featherwood, on the line of Dere Street, about 5.6 km N of High Rochester fort in 1914. Victoriae / et Paci Iul(ius) / Melanio tr[i]b(unus) / [[i]mp(eratore) Volusiano]] et / Publicola co(n)s(ulibus) / v(otum) s(olvit) l(ibens) m(erito) (‘For Victory and Peace, the tribune Julius Melanio, in the consulship of emperor Volusian and Publicola, willingly and deservedly fulfilled his vow’). Dated to AD 253. Source: RIB I p.420.

RIB 1274

RIB 1274: Dedication slab found at High Rochester between 1852 and 1855. Dea[e ̣ ̣ ̣] /ne M[ ̣ ̣ ̣] / [ ̣ ̣ ̣] (‘For the goddess …’). Source: RIB I p.421.

RIB 1275

RIB 1275: Altar base thought to have been found at High Rochester before 1888. […] / [p]ro se f(ecit) (‘… made it on his own behalf’). Source: RIB I p.422.

RIB 1276

RIB 1276: Dedication slab found reused face down in the floor of a water-tank in front of the principia at High Rochester in 1852. Imp(eratori) Caes(ari) T(ito) Aelio / H[a]d(riano) Antonino Aug(usto) Pio p(atri) p(atriae) / sub Q(uinto) Lol(lio) Urbico / leg(ato) Aug(usti) pro prae(tore) / coh(ors) I Ling(onum) / eq(uitata) f(ecit) (‘For the Emperor Caesar Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius, father of his country, under Quintus Lollius Urbicus, emperor’s propraetorian legate, the First Cohort of Lingones, part-mounted, built this’). Source: RIB I p.422.

RIB 1277

RIB 1277: Dedication slab found at High Rochester before 1827. Dated to AD 205–7. Now lost. […] / [Perti]nac[i Arab(ico)] / [Adia]ḅ(enico) Par[thico Max(imo)] / [co(n)s(uli) III et] imp(eratori) [Caes(ari) M(arco) Aur(elio)] / [Anto]ṇino […] (‘For … Pertinax, conqueror of Arabia, conqueror of Adiabene, Most Great Conqueror of Parthia, consul three times, and for the Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus …’). Source: RIB I p.422.

RIB 1278: Dedication slab found at High Rochester in 1852. Dated to AD 213. [Imp(eratori) Caes(ari) L(uci) Sept(imi) Severi Pii / Pertinacis Aug(usti) Arabici / Adiabenici Parth(ici) Max(imi) / fil(io) divi Antonini Sarm(atici) / nep(oti) divi Antonini Pii / pron(epoti)] di[vi Hadr(iani) abnep(oti)] / [divi] Tr[aiani Parth(ici)] / [et di]vi N[ervae adnep(oti)] / [M(arco)] Aure[lio Antonino] / [Pi]o Fel(ici) [Aug(usto) Parthico] / [M]axim[o Brit(annico) Maximo] / [p]ontif(ici) [maximo tr(ibunicia) pot(estate)] / [X]VI Imp(eratori) [II p(atri) p(atriae) proco(n)s(uli)] / [pr]o pie[tate et devotione] / [communi …] (‘For the Emperor Caesar, son of Lucius Septimius Severus Pius Pertinax Augustus, conqueror of Arabia, conqueror of Adiabene, Most Great Conqueror of Parthia, grandson of the deified Antoninus, conqueror of Sarmatia, great-grandson of the deified Antoninus Pius, great-great-grandson of the deified Hadrian, great-great-great-grandson of the deified Trajan, conqueror of Parthia, and great-great-great-great-grandson of the deified Nerva, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Pius Felix Augustus, Most Great Conqueror of Parthia, Most Great Conqueror of Britain, pontifex maximus, in his sixteenth year of tribunician power, twice acclaimed imperator, father of his country, proconsul, from their joint duty and devotion …’). Source: RIB I p.422.

RIB 1279

RIB 1279: Dedication slab used as a cover-slab ‘upon two supporters’ at High Rochester found before 1745. Dated to AD 216. Imp(eratori) Caes(ari) M(arco) Aurelio / Severo Antonino / Pio Felici Aug(usto) Parthic(o) / Max(imo) Brit(annico) Max(imo) Germ(anico) / Max(imo) pontifici maxim(o) / trib(unicia) potest(ate) XVIIII Imp(eratori) II / co(n)s(uli) IIII proco(n)s(uli) p(atri) p(atriae) coh(ors) I / Fida Vardul(lorum) c(ivium) R(omanorum) eq(uitata) (milliaria) Anto|niniana fecit sub cura ⟦[…]⟧ / ⟦[…]⟧ leg(ati) Aug(usti) pro p[r(aetore)] {‘For the Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Pius Felix Augustus, Most Great Conqueror of Parthia, Most Great Conqueror of Britain, Most Great Conqueror of Germany, pontifex maximus, in his nineteenth year of tribunician power, twice acclaimed imperator, four times consul, proconsul, father of his country, the First Loyal Cohort of Vardulli, Roman citizens, part-mounted, one thousand strong, Antoniniana, built this under the charge of …, emperor’s propraetorian legate’}. Source: RIB I p.422.

RIB 1280

RIB 1280: Dedication slab recording construction of a ballistarium found in two pieces at High Rochester before 1810 and in 1855 (latter part now lost). Dated to AD 220. Imp(eratori) Caes(ari) M(arco) Au[r]elio / ⟦ Antonino⟧ Pio Fel(ici) Aug(usto) / trib(unicia) pot(estate) ⟦III⟧ co(n)s(uli) ⟦III⟧ p[roco(n)s(uli)] / p(atri) p(atriae) ballist(arium) a sol[o] coh(ors) I F(ida) / Vardul(lorum) ⟦A[nt(oniniana)]⟧ [s]ub cura / Tib(eri) Cl(audi) Paul[ini le]g(ati) Aug(usti) / pr(o) pr(aetore) fe[cit insta]ṇtẹ / P(ublio) Ael[io Erasino trib(uno)] (‘For the Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Pius Felix Augustus, holding tribunician power three times, in his third consulship, proconsul, father of his country, the First Loyal Cohort of Vardulli, called Antoniniana, built an artillery-platform from ground-level, under the charge of Tiberius Claudius Paulinus, emperor’s propraetorian legate, directed by the tribune Publius Aelius Erasinus’). Source: RIB I p.423.

RIB 1281

RIB 1281: Dedication slab found in 1855 near the middle of High Rochester fort. Dated to AD 222–35. Imp(eratori) Cae[s(ari) M(arco) Aur(elio)] ⟦[Seve]/ro Alex[andr]o⟧ P(io) F̣(elici) [Aug(usto) ̣ ̣] / [ ̣ ̣ ̣] ⟦[matr(i)]⟧ / ⟦i[mp(eratoris) Caes(aris) et ca]s(trorum)⟧ coh(ors) I F(ida) Vard(ullorum) / ⟦(milliaria) S(everiana) A(lexandriana)⟧ ballis(tarium) a solo re[sti]t(uit) / sub c(ura) Cl(audi) Apellini le[g(ati)] Aug(ustorum) / instante Aur(elio) Quinto tr(ibuno) (‘For the Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander Pius Felix Augustus … and for …, mother of the army, the First Loyal Cohort of Vardulli, one thousand strong, Severiana Alexandriana, restored from ground-level an artillery-platform under the charge of Claudius Apellinus, imperial legate, directed by the tribune Aurelius Quintus’). Source: RIB I p.423.

RIB 1282

RIB 1282: Dedication slab found at High Rochester before 1847. Dated to AD 222–35. [matri… ̣] ⟦ [Alex]andr[i]⟧ [felicis] / [for]tissimi Aug(usti) [nos]/[tri] et castror(um) senat[usque] / [ ̣ ̣ ̣] (‘… mother of … Alexander, our fortunate and most valiant Augustus, and of the army and senate …’). Source: RIB I p.424.

RIB 1283

RIB 1283: Building stone of legio VI Victrix found before 1810. vex(illatio) leg(ionis) / VI Vic(tricis) P(iae) F(idelis) / fecit (‘A detachment of the Sixth Legion Victrix Pia Fidelis built this’). Source: RIB I p.424.

RIB 1284

RIB 1284: Building stone of legio XX Valeria Victrix found near the E gate at High Rochester c.1776. vexillatio / leg(ionis) XX V(aleriae) V(ictricis) / fecit (‘A detachment of the Twentieth Legion Valeria Victrix built this’). Source: RIB I p.424.

RIB 1285

RIB 1285: Building stone of cohors I Vardullorum found at High Rochester before 1810. coh(ors) I Va/rdullo/rum fecit (‘The First Cohort of Vardulli built this’). Source: RIB I p.425.

RIB 1286

RIB 1286: Building stone recording the name of the tribune Aelius Erasinus. P(ublius) Ael(ius) Era/sinus trib(unus) (‘Publius Aelius Erasinus, tribune, (built this)’). Source: RIB I p.425.

RIB 1287

RIB 1287: Centurial stone of Iulius S[…] found in the principia at High Rochester in 1856. (centuria) Iuli S(…) (‘The century of Julius S(…) (built this)’). Source: RIB I p.425.

RIB 1288

RIB 1288: Tombstone found in 1809 whilst ploughing on the N side of the burn opposite the NE corner of High Rochester fort. [ ̣ ̣ ̣] S / [ ̣ ̣ ̣] / […] / [ ̣ ̣] coh(ortis) I Vardul(lorum) [ ̣ ̣ ̣] / [ ̣ ̣ ̣ praef(ecto)] coh(ortis) I Aug(ustae) / Lusitanor(um) item coh(ortis) I / Breucor(um) subcur(atori) viae / Flaminiae et aliment(orum) / subcur(atori) operum publ(icorum) / Iulia Lucilla c(larissima) f(emina) marito / b(ene) m(erenti) vix(it) an(nos) XLVIII / m(enses) VI d(ies) XXV (‘… for … of the First Cohort of Vardulli … prefect of the First Cohort Augusta of Lusitanians, also of the First Cohort of Breuci, sub-curator of the Flaminian Way and Doles, sub-curator of Public Works, Julia Lucilla, of senatorial rank, (set this up) to her well-deserving husband: he lived 48 years, 6 months, 25 days’). Source: RIB I p.425.

RIB 1289

RIB 1289: Tombstone found in 1790 at High Rochester. D(is) M(anibus) [s(acrum)] / Aureli Ex[ ̣ ̣ ̣ ̣]/im[i] (centurio) coh(ortis) I Da[lm(atarum)(?)] (‘Sacred to the spirits of the deceased (and) of Aurelius Ex[….]imi, centurion of the First Cohort of Dalmatians (or Dacians)’). Source: RIB I p.426.

RIB 1290

RIB 1290: Tombstone found in 1876 whilst ploughing near High Rochester. D(is) M(anibus) / Felicio(nis) liberti / vixit annis / XX (‘To the spirits of the deceased (and) of Felicio, freedman, (who) lived 20 years’). Source: RIB I p.426.

RIB 1291

RIB 1291: Tombstone of a tribune’s foster-child found in the NW quarter of High Rochester fort in 1729. D(is) M(anibus) / Hermagor/a alumno / Hono/ratus / trib(unus) (‘To the spirits of the deceased (and) to his foster-child Hermagoras, the tribune Honoratus (set this up)’). Source: RIB I p.426.

RIB 1292: Tombstone of a legionary found near High Rochester before 1702. Now lost. D(is) M(anibus) / G(aius) Iul(ius) [G(ai) f(ilius)] (colonia) Fl(avia) / Ingen/[uus ̣ ̣ ̣] / mi[l(es)] leg(ionis) / VI V(ictricis) [P(iae)] F(idelis) (‘To the spirits of the deceased (and) of Gaius Julius Ingenuus, son of Gaius, of (colonia) Flavia […], soldier of the Sixth Legion Victrix Pia Fidelis’). Source: RIB I p.427.

RIB 1293

RIB 1293: Tombstone found at High Rochester before 1810. D(is) M(anibus) / Ro[…] / M[…] / vixit [ann(os)] / XXXVIII (‘To the spirits of the deceased … lived 38 [years]’). Source: RIB I p.427.

RIB 1294

RIB 1294: Figural tombstone from an unknown provenance found before 1842. D(is) M(anibus) / […] / […]ci […]it / […] ann(is) XXV (‘To the spirits of the deceased … 25 years’). Source: RIB I p.427.

RIB 1295: Dedication slab fragment found at High Rochester in 1852. […] / F[…] / SE[…] / PAT[…] (?). Source: RIB I p.428.

RIB 1296: Inscribed stone found at High Rochester in 1760. Now lost. […]VOTA DECMA[…] / […] T […] Susceptae […] / [… dul(?)]cissimae VC / […] M […] (‘… Suscepta … very sweet …’). Source: RIB I p.428.

RIB 1297

RIB 1297: Building stone of legio II Augusta, possibly from High Rochester, found before 1901. leg(io) II Augus(ta) / fe[c(it) …] (‘The Second Legion Augusta built (this)’). Source: RIB I p.428.

RIB 3491: Building stone of vexillations of cohortes IIII Gallorum & II Nerviorum found at High Rochester in 1982. vex(illatio) coh(ortis) IIII Gall(orum) eṭ / vex(illatio) c[o]h(ortis) II Nerv(iorum) / fecerunt (‘A detachment of the Fourth Cohort of Gauls and a detachment of the Second Cohort of Nervii made (this)’). Source: RIB I p.434.

RIB 3492: Tombstone found at High Rochester at 1998. D(is) [M(anibus)] / Te[…] / […] (‘To the shades of the deceased. Te[…] …’). Source: RIB I p.435.

Analysis

The units based at High Rochester were clearly suited for the job: a mixed cohort (cohors I Fida Vardullorum), which included a cavalry component, and a unit of irregular scouts (the numerus exploratum). Building work can be identified by legionaries (legiones II Augusta, VI Victrix, and XX Valeria Victrix are all represented) as well as auxiliaries (cohortes IIII Gallorum and II Nerviorum). The site is also notable for the tombstone of a unit commander who died in post.

Building inscriptions show major reconstruction work during the 3rd century AD, under Severus, Caracalla, and Severus Alexander.

Religious dedications include Hercules, Matunus, Minerva, Mithras, Moguntes, Roma, Silvanus Pantheus, Victory & Peace amongst the deities. The last of these comes from slightly to the north of the fort and, dating to AD 252, may mark the site of conflict.