Sites and Monument Record: Bridgeness Tablet (SMR 301)

Description
Findspot of the legionary inscription.

Object detail

Site type
Find Spot
Site history notes
The Roman distance slab was found in 1868. It is 9ft long and 3ft high with three sections. In the central panel is the inscription which reads: Imp(eratori) Caes(ari) Tito Aelio/ Hadri(ano) Antonino/ Aug(usto) Pio p(atri) p(atriae) leg(io) II/ Aug(usta) per m(ilia) p(assum) IIII DCLII. fec(it). This is cut on an oblong edged with a cyma moulding and flanked by griffin-headed peltae, above and below which are rosettes. Along the top of this section is a palmette border. On either side are aediculae containing figured scenes, that on the left being separated from the central section by a spirally-fluted engaged column. The Tuscan order is used for this column and those of the aediculae.
The right-hand aedicula is surmounted by a pediment without a horizontal cornice and a small column projects above the left end of this to provide balance for the spiral column on the other side. The scene represented is the Suovetaurilia - the sacrifice of a pig, sheep and bull, which normally proceeded a military enterprise. Five frontal figures stand behind the altar. The one on the left, immediately behind the altar, is bearded and wears a tunic and cloak. Next to him is the sacrificant, dressed in a toga, pouring a libation from a patera in his right hand. The remaining three figures are clean-shaven soldiers, dressed in cloaks. Above them is a standard with the inscription leg(io)/ II/ Aug(usta). In front of them and to the right is a musician wearing a tunic and playing the double pipes. The three sacrificial animals cluster in the foreground. In front of the left column of the aedicula is a crouching man facing the animals, which he is presumably leading to the altar.
The left-hand aedicula contains a battle scene set under a low segmental arch. In the upper part is a horseman wearing a plumed helmet, billowing cloak, cuirass and boots. He rides to the right with an oval shield in his left hand and a spear in his raised right hand pointing diagonally to a naked barbarian on the floor below.
Site conservation date
2nd Century
Site grid ref
NT 0137 8159
Conservation status
Roman

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