Altar (fragment)

This fragment of a stone altar was found at the site of the Roman fort at Birrens in Dumfriesshire. It was carved sometime between 80 and 180 AD.

The fragmentary inscription records that the altar was dedicated to Jupiter Dolichenus by a woman named Magunna. Jupiter Dolichenus was a god from the East, a mixture of the Roman god Jupiter and a Syrian sky god. His worship was popular amongst the soldiers.

An altar was a public sign of a Roman's beliefs. On each, the donor's name as well as the god's was recorded. The presence of some women of rank in the Roman forts is indicated by dedications such as this one, as well as some surviving letters.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-036-655-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland X.FP 3
Date:	Between 80 and 180 AD
Material:	Stone
Dimensions:	380 mm H x 425 mm W
What:	Slab, votive / portion
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Dumfriesshire, Middlebie, Birrens
Event:
Description:	Part of a small votive slab dedicated to the god Jupiter Dolichenus, from Birrens
References:	Collingwood, R.G. & Wright, R.P. The Roman Inscriptions of Britain Vol. 1: Inscriptions on Stone. Oxford: University Press, 1965, no. 2099, p 643.
Translations:
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