Gents Mag 1843 part 1 p.35
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list, 2nd qtr 19th century | ||
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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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[HER]CULEA of the Notitia, stationed at
Olenacum in the latter days of the empire.
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