Gents Mag 1740 p.172
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Gentleman's Magazine 1740 p.172
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Gents Mag 1740 p.172
[Equi]tum: And yet the same Gentleman, in the Durham Altar above quoted, where it again occurs, dares not venture to read it mille, as he does in the Glasgow Altar; and for no other Reason that I can see but a Dislike of equestrian Cohorts, tho' I think we have the Cohors quarta Gallorum Equitum on another Altar found elsewhere. Brit. Rom. on Cumberland, Altar LII. Certainly if equestrian Cohorts were ever us'd by the Romans, the Defence of the Stations near the Frontiers, where this Cohort generally resided, seems to want such a Garrison most, for the sake of expeditious marching where hostile Attempts might call them. Accordingly we find the Spanish Cohort with Agricola, Vespasian's Legate, at Airdoch in Scotland; and it appears to have been about 37 Years after this Legate's Resignation, before Hadrian built his Vallum, at which Time they probably assum'd the Title AElia (attributed to them in this Stone) in Compliment to the Emperor, and might have their Quarters then at Netherby, where the Altar was found, as an advanced Station to the Wall. After this, when the Empire was on the decline, I think they have been at Ellenborough, on the Coast of Cumberland, by Inscriptions found there. See Brit. Rom. p.279. And when the Notitia was wrote, a little before the Romans abandon'd the Island, they are expressly placed at Axelodunum on the Wall, which Mr Horsley imagines to be Brugh on the Sands. Neither are any Altars yet found that mention their being elsewhere in Britain. So what Reason Baron Clark has for calling Netherby AEsica, I know not, without the Affinity of the Name to ye River Esk be the sole Motive. Mr Horsley supposes it to be the Castra Exploratorum, but seems to ground his Conjectures entirely on the itinerary Distance from Carlisle, which is certainly no safe Guide. Those that would enquire farther into the Nature of equestrian Cohorts, may consult Brit. Rom. Ch.VI. Book.I. Netherby is about ten Miles North of the Wall; there are several other Pieces of Antiquity at it, but as they are already published, I shall take no farther Notice of them. Our Maps of Cumberland are strangley mistaken with respect to the Situation of Places thereabouts. April 12, 1740. G.S. P.S. I have another curious Fragment of an ALTAR, lately plow'd up at Boulness, to send you when I have Time to ride to see it. |
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