Sculpture, of Goddess Brigantia

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This Roman stone sculpture represents Brigantia, the native goddess of the Brigantes, an important tribe in northern England and parts of southern Scotland. The figure was found at the site of the Roman fort at Birrens in Dumfriesshire.

Brigantia is shown in the guise of Minerva, patron goddess of engineers and of war. She is crowned and winged, holding a spear and a globe. The inscription reads: 'Sacred to Brigantia: Amandus, the engineer, fulfilled the order by command'.

Roman religion was tolerant and flexible. Deities who were not part of normal Roman beliefs were readily adopted and worshipped. On the frontier, such as Scotland, soldiers worshipped local gods and goddesses.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-037-663-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  X.FV 5
• Date: Between 120 and 180 AD
  
• Material: Stone; sculptured
  Sculpture / figure
  
• Dimensions: 930 mm H x 270 mm L x 470 mm W
  
• What: Sculpture / figure
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Dumfriesshire, Middlebie, Birrens
  
• Event:
• Description: Stone relief sculpture of the goddess Brigantia depicting the native goddess of North Britain in the guise of Minerva, from Birrens
  
• References:
  • Clarke, D.V., Breeze, D.J., and Mackay, Ghillean. The Romans in Scotland. An introduction to the collections of the National Museums of Antiquities of Scotland. Edinburgh: National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland, 1980, p 73. 
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