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Gentleman's Magazine 1843 part 1 p.35
Heavitree, Dec. 5.
MR. URBAN,
I BEG to correct the interpretation of the first and second
lines of the Inscription noted in your Magazine for this
month. The Rev. R. Matthews will not err in altering it to I
. O . M . (JOVI OPTIMO MAXIMO) ET . VOLKANO (VLK
contraction): To the most benficient and almighty Jupiter
and Vulcan, who was the son of Jove.
The "Deo Volkano" occurs on some of the coins of P. Lic.
Valerianus, brother to Gallienus; and Mr. Akerman gives a
silver one of his, DEO . VOLKOAN. rev. Statue of Vulcan
within a temple. (Descr. Cat. vol.ii p.14.)
Valerian erected a temple to Vulcan, as his brother did to
Mars; from his skill in fabricating armour, he was as
needful to war as any other deity - perhaps more so: had the
Emperor Julian not forgotten to put on his cuirass, he would
not have fallen by the Persian lance, by the same mishap
which terminated the career of the immortal Sir P. Sidney,
near Zutphen, namely, omitting to buckle on his cuishes, or
thigh-armour.
It is not suprising, therefore, that the Augustan band or
cohort should dedicate their votive altar to the great
MULCIBER as well as to Jove - viz. "Pro Salute," for the
health and safety of Valerian - to what little purpose his
unfortunate exit will bear testimony; but armour of proof
would be the best guarantee, of course, for how could he
enjoy health, or be in safety if incurring the peril of
wounds, without the aid of Vulcan, who presided over the
fabrication of armour?
An inscription occurs
I . O . M . ET . GENIO . P . R . ET . VENALIC .
which proves it was usual to couple the omnipotent Jove with
other members of the heirarchy of the times.
The Augustan cohort of the days of Gordian the Third must
have been of the same rank and routine of service as the
Cohors Praetoria, which was especially attached to
the body-guard of the Praetor of the province where it was
stationed.
The latter was also composed of horse and foot, and of what,
in modern warfare, were denominated reformadoes or
chosen men, similar to the "Cuneus Armaturarum," at
Brementeracum (Brampton, Cumberland), who were, properly
speaking, "Milites in Comitatu Imperatoris,"
belonging to the Emperor's train or body-guard, and not "a
body of troops in armour," as some writers have designated
armatura, which is found in Ammianus, and was
composed of cavalry.
Yours, &c.
W. T. P. SHORTT.
P.S. I shall be glad to hear of any discoveries relating to
the ALA HER
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