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Hadrian’s Wall: Life on the Roman Frontier Glossary Term Abbreviated Definition/translation forms used on (note that ancient Latin Roman terms are written in Italics) inscriptions Aerial photography Taking photographs from aircraft. The study of ‘ground responses’ (cropmarks soilmarks,and shadows) that show up in photographs taken from the air helps archaeologists interpret sites and landscapes. Aethelfrith King of Bernicia from approximately 593 to 616 Agricola, Gnaeus Julius Governor of Britain AD 77 to 84/5 Ala (pl. alae) Cavalry regiment, further divided into troops (turmae) under decurions (decuriones) . Ala miliaria A cavalry regiment nominally containing a thousand soldiers, but in practice generally containing between 720 and 864 men. Ala quingenaria A cavalry regiment nominally containing five hundred soldiers, but in practice probably consisting of up to about 480 men Alamanni, Alemanni, A Suebian Germanic group that threatened Alamans the boundaries of the Empire in the late Roman period Alexander Severus Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander Augustus, emperor from 222 to 235, the last emperor of the Severan dynasty Alfenus Senecio Lucius Alfenus Senecio was governor of Britain from 205 to 207. Anaerobic conditions Conditions where there is a lack of oxygen. Such conditions are extremely good for preservation of organic materials Ante-mortem Before death Antenociticus A Romano-Celtic deity worshipped on Hadrian’s Wall at Benwell Newcastle University © 2014 1 Hadrian’s Wall 1 Anthropomorphic Having human characteristics or features Antiquarians Fieldworkers and collectors who studied ancient sites before modern methods of archaeological practice were established Annorum, annos AN, ANN Age, aged, literally ‘of years’ Apollo God of music, light, the sun and healing in Greek and Roman myth Aquilifer AQ(V) Bearer of the legionary eagle standard Arcadius Flavius Arcadius Augustus, emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire from 395 to 408 Archaeobotany The study of plant remains discovered in archaeological contexts Areani Agents/operatives for the Roman Empire in ‘barbarian’ territory. Augusta AVG The wife/mother of the emperor; the title of the Second and Eighth legions Augusti AVGG The Emperors (2) Augusti AVGGG The Emperors (3 or more) Augusti nostri AA NN Our Emperors (2) Augustus AVG The Augustus (the Emperor); sacred, venerable, majestic, the most distinguished, the august Augustus noster A N Our Emperor Aurelian Lucius Domitius Aurelianus Augustus, emperor from 270 to 275 Auxilia Auxiliaries; auxiliary regiments of Rome’s armies Auxiliaries Army regiments open to non-citizens (though many included citizens as well) Bairn Child – a colloquial term used in the north of England and southern Scotland Barbarica conspiratio The term used by Ammianus Marcellinus when describing the events of AD 367. Often translated as ‘the Barbarian Conspiracy’. Newcastle University © 2014 2 Hadrian’s Wall 2 Barbaricum The land outside the boundaries of the Roman Empire Basilica A covered hall Batavi, Batavians Germanic tribe based around the Rhine delta region (their centre was at what is now Nijmegan in modern Holland). Beneficiarii BB FF Plural of beneficiarius Beneficiarius B F A special duties soldier Beneficiarius consularis B (F) COS A special duties soldier attached to the staff of the consular governor Berm Narrow stretch of ground between the Wall curtain and the ditch, approximately 3m wide. Bernicia Early Medieval (Post-Roman) kingdom in south-east Scotland and north-east England Bio-anthropology The study of humans and their ancestor species to understand how they change and adapt over time. The discipline is commonly associated with archaeology in America. Also referred to as ‘biological anthropology’ or ‘physical anthropology’ Britannia BR Britain Britannia BRI(T) Britannia (either the country or the patron goddess thereof) Bulk finds Finds found in large quantities during excavations, including building material and pottery Bustum A form of burial where an individual is cremated on a pyre over a pit. The cremated remains are then deposited in the underlying pit. Buttress A supporting structure built against a wall to support it Caesarum Nostrum Our caesars, our junior emperors Caldarium The hot room, with a hot plunge bath, in a Roman bathhouse Calgacus According to Tacitus, Calgacus was a Caledonian commander who opposed the Newcastle University © 2014 3 Hadrian’s Wall 3 Romans at the battle of Mons Graupius Calones Slaves of soldiers Candidus A common name at Vindolanda, specifically here the brother of Octavius to whom he is writing in Tab. Vindol. II 303 Capital The head of a column or altar Caracalla Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Augustus ‘Caracalla’ was emperor 198 to 217, son of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna and brother of Geta, whom he murdered in 212 Carausius Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Valerius Carausius. He declared himself emperor and ruled Britain and northern Gaul from 286 to 293 and thus launched the short- lived ‘Gallic Empire’ Carissima/carissimus K(AR) The most caring, the dearest, the loveliest Catch-plate The section of a brooch which meets with the pin to seal the brooch circuit, enabling it to be secured Cautes, Cautopates Torch bearers that accompany the Persian sun god Mithras Centuria (pl. centuriae ) Century, unit of about 80 infantry soldiers, the plural term is sometimes used for Roman barrack blocks Centurial stones Inscribed stones erected to commemorate work done in constructing or repairing the Wall by certain military contingents Centurio (pl. centuriones) < Centurion Cernunos, cernunnos A horned deity in Romano-Celtic religion Cippi pits Pits dug to hold or support obstacles. Described by Caesar (Gallic War 7.73-80). A possible explanation for the pits dug on the berm. Civilis The vicarius (deputy-prefect) of Britain c AD 368 under Count Theodosius. His full name is not known. Clarissima femina A lady from the senatorial class – the highest class in Roman society Newcastle University © 2014 4 Hadrian’s Wall 4 Clarissimus vir C V A man of distinction, a most distinguished man Classis Britannica CL(AS) BR(IT) The British Fleet Claudia Severa A friend of Sulpicia Lepdina. Claudia invites Sulpicia to a birthday celebration in Tab. Vindol. II 291 Clayton, John A nineteenth century antiquarian (1792- 1890) who carried out a number of excavations along the Wall, having inherited parts of it in 1843 – he bought further sections and forts throughout the course of his life. Clayton is known for his work on the repairing/rebuilding of the Wall, a process which produced the distinctive lengths of ‘Clayton Wall’ Clipeus Flat shield Cohors, (pl. cohortes) COH, CHO Cohort(s) Cohors equitata Mixed (infantry and cavalry) unit Cohors equitata miliaria Mixed (infantry and cavalry) unit, nominally of one thousand soldiers. On paper some fo these units might actually have contained slightly more men (approximately 1040). Cohors peditia Infantry cohort Cohors peditia miliaria Infantry cohort, nominally one thousand men strong Cohort An infantry, or mixed infantry/cavalry, unit. Comitatenses The field branch of the late Roman army Comites ‘Counts’, regional generals of the late Roman field armies, appointed by the magistri militum Coniugis Spouse, consort Coniunx faciendum curavit C F C spouse was responsible for the making of this Constans Flavius Julius Constans Augustus, emperor from 337 to 350 Constantine I (‘the Great’) Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus Augustus, emperor from 306 to 336 Newcastle University © 2014 5 Hadrian’s Wall 5 Constantine II Flavius Claudius Constantinus Augustus, emperor from 337 to 340 Constantine III Flavius Claudius Constantinus, declared himself emperor of the Western Empire in AD 407. Ruled Britain and parts of Gaul. Captured and executed in 411 Constantius (I) Chlorus Marcus Flavius Valerius Constantius Herculius Augustus, emperor from 305 to 306 Constantius II Flavius Julius Constantius Augustus, emperor 337 to 361 Constitutio antoniniana An edict issued by the emperor Caracalla c. AD 212 which granted citizenship to all freeborn subjects of the Empire Consul, COS The consuls were the two most senior magistrates of the Republic, bearing consular power. The office of consul still had an importance under the Empire, but had lost much of its significance by the late third century AD Contubernium An infantry section, normally eight men strong. The term is also given to the two room set in barracks that is believed to serve each infantry section. Collingwood-Bruce, John A nineteenth century antiquarian (1805- 1892) who took a keen interest in the history of Britain and Hadrian’s Wall, he created the first volume of the Handbook to the Roman Wall, which is now published in its fourteenth edition Cornicularius Junior officer Count Theodosius Flavius Theodosius, Theodosius the Elder, Comes Britanniarum (Count/Senior military officer in Britain) from 368 to 376 Coventina goddess worshiped at Carrawburgh Cranium The braincase, the section of the skull that encloses the brain Cropmarks Patterns in the growth of crops which can indicate features buried beneath the surface; features such as walls stunt growth whilst ditches can encourage better growth Newcastle University © 2014 6 Hadrian’s Wall 6 Cui Praeest C P, C P EST Whose commander is, commanded by Cura CV(RA) Attention, care, responsibility Curator CV(RA) Manager Curavit CV(RA) (s)he has managed or arranged Curem agens C A Administered through the agency of…, the responsibility fell upon…, managed by… Curia Textoverdorum
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