Altar to Jupiter

Object/Artifact

Trimontium Museum

© National Museums Scotland. Digitised from a positive on film by Trimontium Trust.

Name/Title

Altar to Jupiter

Entry/Object ID

X.FV 46

Description

Sandstone altar dedicated to Jupiter, from the Roman site at Newstead, 140 - 160 AD

Use

Used for worship

Context

The idea of a contract between human beings and the gods was central to Roman religious practice. Offerings to the gods were made in temples and shrines devoted to particular deities. These offerings included altars, such as this one.

Collection

National Museums Scotland

Acquisition

Accession

X.FV 46

Made/Created

Time Period

2nd century

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Continent

Europe

Culture/Tribe

Roman

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Location

Center of Altar

Transcription

I.O.M / G.ARRIVS / *LEG.XX.V.V. / V.S.L.M

Language

Latin

Translation

To Jupiter, Best and Greatest, Gaius Arrius Domitianus, centurion of the 20th Legion Valeria Victrix, gladly, willingly, and deservedly fulfilled his vow.

Material/Technique

carved

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Altar

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Religious Objects

Nomenclature Class

Ceremonial Objects

Nomenclature Category

Category 08: Communication Objects

Getty AAT

Concept

freestanding altars

Other Names and Numbers

Other Numbers

Number Type

Previous Accession Number

Other Number

1937.474

Dimensions

Height

1,260 mm

Width

500 mm

Length

460 mm

Weight

0.9 ton

Material

Sandstone

Web Links and URLs

National Museums of Scotland web link to artefact , Canmore web link to Newstead (Trimontium)