Carlisle

Carlisle, Cumbria, England. February 2012.

Carlisle, Cumbria, England. February 2012.

Carlisle, Cumbria, England. February 2012.

Large Tombstone - this was rescued from Hexham Abbey and belongs to a Roman soldier of the rank of standard-bearer, who was killed at the age of twenty-five and buried at Corstopitum (Corbridge). It represents a mounted soldier riding over a prostrate barbarian. The soldier is well armed, wears a helmet with high crest and plume, and round his neck is a torque, which indicates his high rank. In his right hand he carries the standard which displays the sun god, Sol, in a circle. The long sword is sheathed, and no other weapon is seen. The barbarian is naked, and carries a large oval shield by a strap with his left arm, while his right hand grasps a short leaf-shaped sword of strikingly different form to that worn by his conqueror. Below the sculpture is the inscription : DIS. MANIBVS. FLAVINVS EQ. ALAE. PETR. SIGNIFER TFR. CANDIDI. AN. XXV STIP. VII. H. S. " To the shades of the departed to Flavinus standard-bearer of the cavalry of Petriana of the white troop, twenty-five years of age and seven years' service is laid here." Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, England. February 2012.

There would have been a hinge at the top so it could have been worn with a helmet. Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, England. February 2012.

Fortuna, the Roman goddess of good fortune was usually shown with a ship's rudder and a cornucopia full of food and flowers. The rudder meant that she would steer people safely home and the cornucopia showed that the goddess would bring good things to her worshippers. This white marble figure is from the Mediterranean (on loan from the British Museum). Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, England. February 2012.

A reproduction of a Roman army tent made from goat skins which have been stitched together. Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, England. February 2012.

Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, England. February 2012.

Tullie House Museum, Carlisle, England. February 2012.