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Carpow and Caracalla

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 November 2011

R. P. Wright
R. P. Wright
Affiliation:
5 Victoria Terrace, Durham
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Abstract

At the invitation of the editor I venture to resume a theme which I have dealt with in some detail and with full illustrations elsewhere. First, because it can form an epigraphic corollary to Mr. B. R. Hartley's substantial paper on ‘The Roman occupations of Scotland: the evidence of samian ware’. In his chart on page 42 he dates the evacuation of Scotland to 211-12 to leave space for the Carpow evidence. Secondly, because summaries can be quoted of the evidence from samian and coarse pottery, on the latter of which there are recent modifications. Thirdly, because two writers, Dr. J. C. Mann and Dr. M. G. Jarrett, have given inadequate reasons for rejecting my dating of the monumental text from the east gate of Carpow fortress to the emperor Caracalla no earlier than 212. These articles must have had a wide circulation, and there is a risk that many readers will have been misled by what seem, at least to me, to be erroneous observations. One note of caution is needed: this interpretation is limited by the evidence which is available now, and it is quite possible that the spades of Dr. J. Wilkes and Mr. J. D. Leach will produce some further text which may upset, or perhaps substantiate, the proposed conclusions.

Type
Articles
Information
Britannia , Volume 5 , November 1974 , pp. 289 - 292
Copyright
Copyright © R. P. Wright 1974. Exclusive Licence to Publish: The Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies

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References

1 Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. xcvii (1963-1964), 202Google Scholar; JRS Iv (1965), 223Google Scholar; Acta of the Fifth Epigraphic Congress of Greek and Latin Epigraphy, 1967, 293.

2 Britannia iii (1972), 1–55.Google Scholar

3 Mann, J. C. and Jarrett, M. G., JRS Ivii (1967), 64Google Scholar in ‘The division of Britain’, and Jarrett, M. G. and Mann, J. C.Bonner Jahrbücher 170 (1970), 201Google Scholar in ‘Britain from Agricola to Gallienus’.

4 I had the opportunity to restate my case at the Roman Northern Frontier Seminar on 29 May 1971 at Glasgow before an audience which circumstances restrict in number. I am glad to say that Dr. Mann was present and conceded that the proposed restoration was certainly possible. But the lack of parallels had induced him to keep an open mind and think that there may possibly be other restorations. No one. I should add. has as yet suggested a plausible alternative.

5 The significance of the evidence provided in JRS lv (1965), 223Google Scholar, n. 15 seems to have been overlooked. The formula imperator dominus noster occurs under Septimius Severus, with Caracalla, in 197 1904, 75) and 202 (AE 1950, 237) and in 199-209 including Geta (AE 1938, 146). In 213 it was used in a date to cite Caracalla and his fellow-consul (CIL xiii, 7338, 8702). Formulae tend to occur either in full or in a slightly abbreviated form for some years before the later practice of using only about three letters or merely initials. So far I have found no parallel for ET between IMP and D.N., and no reader of the JRS article cited above or of the Acta has brought any instance to my attention. In epigraphic terms the beginning of Caracalla's reign seems to be the turning-point before the briefer formula became the standard practice.

6 He discussed problems about Caracalla's policy in North Britain, and has allowed me to quote the points relevant to the present article.