Roman monuments in the Rhineaue

For the garden festival in 1979 the Rhineland Museum set up a "Roman road". Here you find copies of originals from the Rhineland Museum: a column of Jupiter, a milestone, an inscription of honour for Emperor Antony Pius, several gravestones and shrines. The most important discovery the copy of which can be seen here, is the gravestone of Officer Marcus Caelius ,who was killed in the Battle of Varus. This gravestone is the only proof that this battle ever took place.

From: W. Hilgers, Römische Straße-Rheinauepark Bonn 1979

The gravestone of Marcinus:

This stone dates from the second half of the first century AD.

Inscription:

"MARCINUS SUR CONIS F(ilius),BREVCUS MIL(es) EX COH(orte)VIII/ BREV(lorum) ANN(orum)XXXV/STIP(endorium)XII H(ic) S(itus) E(st)"

Translation:

Marcinus, son of Surco, Breuker, soldier in the 8th Breuker-cohort, 35 years of age, 12 years of duty. He is buried here.

Below the inscription, on the left-handside of the gravestone there is a young dancing woman: Her long scirt as well as both ends of the scarf round her neck are flattering backwards, while she is carrying cymbals in her raised hands.

The gravestone of Caelius

The gravestone shows the deceased between both his released slaves Privatus and Thiaminus.

Caelius, once highest-ranking centurio, is characterized with various features: The plate armour and the long coat of a soldier characterized him as an officer; as a sign of authority he is holding a baton made from wood of the wine; his medal decorated with reliefs, his necklace and bangle a military marks of distinction. In honour of his saving a citizenīs life he got a garland made form oak leaves.

The inscription of the stone:

M(arco) CAELIO T(iti) F(ilio) LEM(onia) BONN(onia) (I) O(rdini) LEG(ionis) X II X ANN(orum) L III S CECIDIT BELLO VARIANO OSSA INFERRE LICEBIT P(ublius) CAELIUS T(iti) F(ilius) LEM(onia) FRATER FECIT

The translation of the inscription:

For Marcus Caelius, son of Titus, from Bologna in the district of Lemmonia, Leader of the 18th legion; he died 53 years old in the war of Varus. The bones (of the released) may be buried here, too. Brother Caelius, son of Titus, from the district of Lemmonia has erected this gravestone.

Altar for Jupiter, Juno and Minerva

  • found near Xanten-Birten, district of Wesel
  • erected on July 1, 239 AD

    • =>Height 1,2m
    =>Width 0,75m
  • Jupiter is the highest god of the Roman Empire. His symbols are lightning, sceptre and eagle.
  • Juno is Jupiterīs wife. Sceptre and peacock stand for her.
  • Minerva is the goddess of science. Her symbols are sceptre, owl, helmet and shield.

Inscription:


I(ovi) O(ptimo) M(aximo) IVNONI REGIN(a)E / MINERVAE T(itus) QVARTINI/VS SATVURNALIS SIGNI/FER LEG(ionis) XXX V(lpiae) V(ictricis) PRO SE / ET SVIS V(otum) S(olvit) L(ibens) M(erito) / (i)MP(eratore) D(omino) N(ostro) GORDIANO ET AVIOLA CO(n)S(ulibus) KAL(endis) I(uliis)

Translation of the inscription:


Titus Quartinius Saturnalis, standard bearer of the 30th Ulpic Legion, the victorious one , has taken a vow to Jupiter the best and the greatest, to Juno and to Minerva, for himself and his people, with pleasure and according to merit. Under the consular rule of Emperor Gordian, our lord and of Aviola on July, 1.

The gravestone of Reburrus

TDhe upper part of the gravestone shows a horseman, ready for attack, raising his spear and in doing so he jumps across a fallen animal.


Inscriptiont:

REBURRUS FR(i)ATTONIS F(ilius) EQVES AL(a) / FR(on)T(oniana)...

Translation:

Reburrus, son of Friatto, horseman, regiment of Frontonius...


The column of Jupiter

This column is in the Rhineland Museum. The statue of Jupiter in seating position is not part of the column but is connected to it for better illustration. Jupiter is enthroned on top of the clumn. Shown below are Juno, Minerva and Mercury. Jupiter, the god of thunder, was the highest god in heaven; Juno his wife. Minerva was the goddess of the arts and Mercury protected merchants and thieves. On the pedestal you can see Hercules with the club, Ceres, the goddess of harvesting, Mercury and Vulcanus, the god of forging.

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