26
Fig. 3.
The inscription is very imperfect, and was dedicated to the Rising Sun, but is valuable for the two inverted letters at the top, which are the initials of Julius Cæsar, and show that the inscription was erected during his life-time and before he became Emperor.
Fig. 4.
TBGLDECMVS
CORNELANTO
NEVS PRAEF
TEMPLRESTIT
Expanded.
DEO SOLI NVMINI VICTOR BELLO GALLICO DECIMVM VOTVM SOLVENS CORNELIVS ANTONEVS PRÆFECTVS TEMPMM RESTITVIT.
Translation.
Cornelius Antoneus, the Præfect; having been ten times victorious in the *Gallic War, in discharge of his Vow restored (or rebuilt) the Temple of the invincible APOLLO (the SUN GOD.)
* Note.—The absence of IMP at the top of the Inscription leads to the conclusion that the Altar was erected before Cæsar became Emperor, and, consequently, 48 years B.C. or rather before Cæsar's assassination on the 15th March, B.C. 44 years.
All these Rudchester altars are of eastern origin, and were probably erected by the sun worshippers, who (levied by Pompey in the east) had, after the battle of Pharsalia followed the victorious standards of Cæsar, and were probably sent by him into Britain to secure his recent conquest of that country. Indeed this is fully corroborated by the inscriptions, and my assertion in my letter to the Editor of the Newcastle Journal of the 14th of October, which stated that I considered the most legitimate and profitable use of Roman inscriptions was their application to the correction of historical errors (or supplying data for authentic history) is proved to have been supported by the result.
The High Rochester, Risingham, and Rudchester Altar Inscriptions verify this opinion. We can no longer with Tacitus, although echoed by Rapin, deprive Julius Cæsar of the glory of the conquest of Britain. Military occupation gives evidence of conquest, and these Roman remains
