Roman era tombstones in the museum at Arbeia Roman Fort at Lawe Top, South Shields

Image: © Jeremy Bolwell Taken: 30 Jul 2021

Only a fraction of the Roman fort, supply base and civilian settlement has ever been excavated and these are two of the tombs discovered. The one on the left is for Victor, a Moor from North Africa, who was a groom and died here, aged 20 years in the 2nd century AD. He had previously been a slave, but was now a free man. The tomb was commissioned by a Cavalryman called Numerianus, previously his master, the two men probably only passing through this base on the way to a posting on Hadrians Wall at Benwell, west of modern Newcastle, where the unit, the Ala I Asturum was stationed. The cavalry unit was originally raised in Spain, then also part of the Roman Empire of course. The stonemason was likely a Syrian, also local. It is unusual for ex-slaves to retain links with their erstwhile masters, so it looks like Victor accompanied the Cavalryman voluntarily, out of affection, respect, or love. The other tombstone, also 2nd century in date, was for Regina, a member of the Catuvellauni tribe of modern day Hertfordshire, also previously a slave, owned by Barates, a trader or merchant originally from Syria, who married her. Regina is depicted on the stone wearing fashionable clothes, holding a distaff and a wool spinning tool in one hand, the other holding open a treasure box. If these two tombs reflect the typical population of Roman settlements then Roman Britain was very cosmopolitan, liberal and open society, a meritocracy and sophisticated, complex and intriguing. Mind blown - and this is the first exhibit I have looked at.

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