THE GODS AND GODDESSES OF
ROMAN BRITAIN
The following catalogue of gods, goddesses and cults
is based on inscriptions found in Britain.
References:
RIB = RG Collingwood and RP Wright, The Roman
Inscriptions of Britain, volume 1, OUP, 1965, reprinted Alan Sutton
Publishing,1995
Brit. and JRS = Britannia and Journal
of Roman Studies, published by the Society
for the Promotion of Roman Studies, e-mail romansoc@sas.ac.uk
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Abandinus
Godmanchester: bronze plaque by Vatiaucus. RIB 2432.4
Aesculapius/Asklepios
Binchester: altar to [Aesc]ulapius by M. Aurelius [...]ocomas, medicus,
for welfare of ala Vettonum. RIB 1028 (with Salus)
Burrow-in-Lonsdale (Overborough): altar by Julius Saturninus. RIB
609 (with Hygiaea (sic))
Chester: altar by Antiochos, hiatros (in Greek). JRS lix
(1969), 235, no. 3 (with Hygiaea and Panakeia)
Chester: altar by the legate T. Pomponius Mamilianus. RIB 445
(with Fortuna Redux, and Salus)
Lanchester: altar to [Aescula]pius by the tribune T. Flavius Titianus
with parallel Greek text (known from RIB 1083, Ebchester, to have been
tribune of cohors I Vardullorum during the governorship of Antistius
Adventus, c. 175-8). RIB 1072
Maryport: slab by A. Egnatius Pastor (in Greek). RIB 808
South Shields: altar to Esculap(ius) by P. Viboleius Secundus. RIB
1052
Alaisiagae, see also Beda, Baudihillia,
Fimmilena, and Friagabis
Housesteads altar by 'the Germans' of cuneus Frisiorum Ver(covicianorum)
Se(v)e(riani) Alexandriani between 222-35. RIB 1594 (with Mars and
Numen Augusti)
Ammilla Augusta Felix
London: miniature bronze warship prow. Identification uncertain,
possibly the personification of a named ship. RIB 2432.1
Ancasta
Bitterne: altar by Geminus. RIB 97
Andate ('Victory')
Unlocated: referred to as the 'grave of Andate' by Dio and a place where
the members of the Boudican Revolt conducted various sacrificial acts. Dio
lxii.7
Andescociuoucus (see Mercury)
Anicetus, see Mithras
Anociticus, see Antenociticus
Antenociticus, also Anociticus
Benwell: altar by Aelius Vibius, centurion of XX Valeria Victrix.
RIB 1327 (with Numina Augustorum) (56)
Benwell: altar by cohors I Vangionum under the prefect
[...]c(ius) Cassi[anus]. RIB 1328
Benwell: altar to Anociticus by Tineius Longus, prefect of cavalry,
between 177-80. RIB 1329
Apollo, see also Genius collegii Apollinis
Auchendavy: altar by M. Cocceius Firmus, centurion of II Augusta.
RIB 2174 (with Diana)
Bar Hill: altar to [Apoll]in[i]. RIB 2165
Chester-le-Street: altar by Tertius. RIB 1043
Hadrian's Wall (near mc 42): altar by Melonius Senilis, duplicarius
from Germania Superior. RIB 1665
Nettleton: bronze plaque by Decimius. RIB 2432.3
Newstead: altar by L. Maximius Gaetulicus, legionary centurion. RIB 2120
Scarcroft: altar. JRS lv (1965), 221, no. 6 (with Numen)
Whitley Castle: altar by Gaius [......]ius of cohors [II] Nerviorum.
RIB 1198
Apollo Anextiomarus
South Shields: bronze patera by Marcus A[...] Sab(inus). RIB
2415.55
Apollo Anicetus, see Sol Apollo Anicetus
Apollo Clarius, see Clarius Apollo
Apollo Cunomaglos
Nettleton: altar by Corotica, son or daughter of Iutus. JRS lii
(1962), 191, no. 4 (and Wedlake 1982, 135-6, no. 1)
Apollo Grannus
Inveresk: altar by Q. Lusius Sabinianus, procurator Augusti. RIB 2132
(see also ILS 4649)
Apollo Maponus
Corbridge: altar by Q. Terentius Firmus, praefectus castrorum of VI
Victrix. RIB 1120
Corbridge: altar by [Calp]urnius [...], tribune. RIB 1121
Corbridge: altar by Publius Aelius [...], centurion of VI Victrix.
RIB 1122
Ribchester: shaft by Aelius Antoninus, centurion of VI Victrix
and commander of n(umerus) eq(uitum) Sar[m(atarum)] Bremetenn(acensium)
[G]ordiani between 238-44. RIB 583
Arciaco (with Numen Augusti)
York: altar by Mat... Vitalis, centurion. RIB 640 (with Numen
Augusti) (69). But note the variant on Mercury (next entry) which may
possibly explain this otherwise-unknown deity.
Arecurius see Corbridge under Mercury as Arecurio
Arimanes
York: statue by Volusius Irenaeus. RIB 641
Arnomecta
Brough-on-Noe: altar by Aelius Motio. RIB 281
Astarte
Corbridge: altar by Pulcher (in Greek). RIB 1124
Balatucadrus see Belatucadrus
Barrax, see Mars Barrax
Baudihillia et Friagabis (Alaisiagae)
Housesteads: altar by numerus Hnaudifridi. RIB 1576 (with Numen
Augusti)
Beda et Fimmilena (Alaisiagae)
Housesteads: shrine door jam by 'Germans, citizens of Twenthe'. RIB
1593 (with Mars Thincsus, and Numen Augusti)
Belatucadrus and variants, see also Mars
Belatucadrus
Bowness-on-Solway: altar to Belatocairo by Peisius, m(iles). RIB 2056
Brougham: altar to B[a]latu(cadrus). RIB 772
Brougham: altar to Balatucairus by Baculo. RIB 773
Brougham: altar to Blatucairus by Audagus. RIB 774
Brougham: altar to Belatu[ca]drus by Julianus. RIB 775
Brougham: altar to Belatucadrus. RIB 776
Brougham: statue to Belatucadrus. RIB 777
Brougham: altar to Belatucabrous. JRS lix (1969), 237, no. 7
Burgh-by-Sands: altar to Belatucadrus. RIB 2038
Burgh-by-Sands: altar to Belatocadrus by Antr(onius) Auf(idianus?). RIB 2039
Burgh-by-Sands: altar to Belatucadrus. RIB 2044
Carlisle: altar to Belatucadrus. RIB 948
Carrawburgh: altar to Belleticaurus by Lunaris. RIB 1521
Carvoran: altar to Baliticaurus. RIB 1775
Carvoran: altar to Blatucadrus. RIB 1776
Castlesteads: altar to Belatugagrus by Minervalis. RIB 1976
Castlesteads: altar to Be[l]atuca[dr]us by Ullinus. RIB 1977 (and
Brit. v (1974), 463, no. 10)
Kirkby Thore: altar to Belatucadrus by [...]iolus. RIB 759
Maryport: altar to Belatucadrus by Julius Civilis, optio. RIB 809
Old Carlisle: altar to Belatucadrus by Aurelius Tasulus, vet(eranus).
RIB 887
Old Carlisle: altar to Belatucadrus by Aurelius Diatova. RIB 888
Old Carlisle: altar to Belatucaurus. RIB 889
Old Penrith: altar to Bel[a]tuca[drus]. RIB 914
Old Penrith: altar to Balatocadrus. Brit. ix (1977), 474, no. 7
Old Penrith: altar to Belatucairus. Brit. ix (1977), 474, no. 8
Bellona
Old Carlisle: altar by Rufinus, prefect of ala Augusta, and his
son Latinianus. RIB 890
Bona Dea Regina Caelestis (the Good Goddess, Queen,
Caelestis), see also Regina Caelestis and Virgo Caelestis
Chesters: altar. RIB 1448
Bona Fortuna
Corbridge: altar to B(ona) F(ortuna). RIB 1135 (with Panthea)
Bonus Eventus et Fortuna
Caerleon: slab by Cornelius Castus and his wife Julia Belismicus. RIB 318
York: slab to [Bono Eventu]i et F[ortunae]? RIB 642 (RIB
703 is part of the same)
Braciaca, see Mars Braciaca
Bregans
Slack: altar by T. Aurelius Quintus. RIB 623 (and Numen
Augusti)
Brigantia see also Caelestis Brigantia, Nympha
Brigantia, Brigantia Augusta, and Victoria Brigantia
Adel: altar by Cingetissa. RIB 630
Birrens: figure in gabled relief by Amandus arcitectus. RIB 2091
(49)
South Shields: altar by Congeniccus. RIB 1053
Britannia
Balmuildy: altar by Q. Pisentius Justus, prefect of cohors IIII
Gallorum between 138-61. RIB 2195 (with Campestres)
York: altar by Nikomedes, imperial libertus. RIB 643
Caelestis Brigantia
Corbridge: altar by G. Julius Apolinaris, centurion of VI Victrix,
his name, rank and unit replacing someone else's or else recarved to make a
correction. RIB 1131 (with Jupiter Aeternus Dolichenus and Salus). See
also Brit. xxvi (1995), 380, no. 7 for another possibility
Campestres (Goddesses of the Parade Ground),
see also Matres Campestres
Auchendavy: altar by M. Cocceius Firmus, centurion of II Augusta.
RIB 2177 (with Mars, Minerva, Hercules, Epona and Victoria)
Balmuildy: altar by Q. Pisentius Justus, prefect of cohors IIII
Gallorum between 138-61. RIB 2195 (with Britannia)
Gloster Hill: altar by cohors I [...]. RIB 1206
Newstead: altar by Aelius Marcus, decurio of ala Augusta
Vocontiorum. RIB 2121
Camulus see Mars Camulus
Capitolinus, see Jupiter Optimus Maximus
Capitolinus
Cautes (associate of Mithras)
Carlisle: altar by Julius Archietus. RIB 943
Cautopates (associate of Mithras)
Lanchester: altar to C(auto)p(ates). RIB 1082 (with Mithras and
Sol Invictus)
Ceres Dea Suria (Ceres, the Syrian Goddess)
Carvoran: altar by M. Caecilius Donatianus, serving as tribune in the
post of prefect, between 197-217. RIB 1791 (with Mater, Pax, and
Virgo Caelestis)
Christos (represented by the XP 'Chi-Rho' monogram
and/or A W 'Alpha' and 'Omega'), see also Deus
Ashton: lead tank bearing XP. RIB 2416.13
Biddulph: silver spoon bearing A XP W. RIB 2420.56
Brough: lead tank bearing IX, for Iesus Xristus. Brit. xxvi
(1995), 318-22
Canterbury: silver spoons bearing XP. RIB 2420.60-1
East Stoke: lead tank bearing XP. RIB 2416.8
Gwent [found in 'Monmouthshire']: silver spoon bearing A XP W. RIB
2420.57
Icklingham: lead tanks bearing W XP A. RIB 2416.9
Icklingham: lead tanks bearing XP. RIB 2416.10
Lullingstone: wall-paintings bearing A XP W and images of people
praying. RIB 2447.6-8
Maryport: stone plaque inscribed XP. RIB 856
Mildenhall: silver spoons bearing A XP W. RIB 2420.53-5
Traprain Law: silver spoons bearing XP. RIB 2420.58-9
Walesby: lead tank bearing XP. RIB 2416.14
Water Newton: silver bowl by Innocentia and Viventia, bearing A XP W. RIB
2414.1
Water Newton: silver bowl/cup bearing A XP W, and naming a sacred
sanctuary. RIB 2414.2
Water Newton: silver strainers bearing A XP W. RIB 2414.3
Water Newton: silver strainers bearing XP and Iesus Xristus. RIB
2414.21
Water Newton: silver pan bearing XP W. RIB 2414.4
Water Newton: gold disc bearing A XP W. RIB 2430.3
Water Newton: silver plaque bearing W XP A. RIB 2431.1
Water Newton: silver plaques bearing A XP W. RIB 2431.4-11 (57)
Wigginholt: lead tank bearing XP. RIB 2416.12
Winchester: floor tile inscribed with XP. Brit. xxiv (1993),
316-17, no. 18
Clarius Apollo
Housesteads: altar recording the oracle of Clarian Apollo in Ionia by cohors
I Tungrorum. There are various references in classical texts, for example
Ovid, Fasti I.20. RIB 1579
Claudius Divus (the deified Emperor Claudius)
Colchester: templum divo Claudio in use by the year 60. Tacitus, Annals
xiv.31
Cocidius, see also Mars Cocidius, Silvanus Cocidius
and Vernostonus Cocidius
Bewcastle: altar by Annius Victor, legionary centurion. RIB 985
Bewcastle: silver plaque. RIB 986
Bewcastle: silver plaque by Aventinus. RIB 987
Bewcastle: altar by Aurunceius Felicessemus, tribune promoted from evocatus.
RIB 988
Bewcastle: altar by Q. Peltrasius Maximus, tribune, promoted from cornicularius
to the Praetorian Prefects. RIB 989
Birdoswald: altar by [Tere]ntius Valerianus, commanding cohors I
Aelia [Dacorum]. RIB 1872
Birdoswald: primary dedication on an altar with secondary, and probably
unrelated, dedication to Jupiter Optimus Maximus by Pomponius Desideratus,
tribune commanding cohors I Aelia Dacorum between 270-3. RIB 1885
Hadrian's Wall (near milecastle 37): altar by Vabrius. RIB 1633
Hadrian's Wall (milecastle 52): altar by II Augusta. RIB 1955
Hadrian's Wall (milecastle 52): altar by XX Valeria Victrix
between 262-6. RIB 1956
Hadrian's Wall (near milecastle 55): altar by a vexillation from VI
Victrix. RIB 1961
Hadrian's Wall (near milecastle 55): altar to Co[cidius]. RIB 1963
Hadrian's Wall (near milecastle 60): altar by VI Victrix. RIB 2020
Housesteads: altar by Valerius, soldier with VI Victrix. RIB 1577
(with Genius praesidii)
Housesteads: altar by II Augusta. RIB 1583 (with
Genius huius loci and Jupiter Optimus Maximus)
Netherby (or Bewcastle ?): altar by Paternius Maternus, tribune
commanding cohors I Nerviorum and promoted from evocatus Palatinus
(recorded at Netherby, probably erroneously). RIB 966
Risingham: altar. RIB 1207 (with Silvanus)
Vindolanda: altar by D. Caerellius Victor, prefect of cohors II
Nerviorum. RIB 1683
Concordia legionis II Augusta et legionis XX (The
Concord of II Augusta and XX)
Carlisle: base of sculptured relief. Brit. xx (1989), 331, no. 4
Concordia legionis VI Victrix Pia Fidelis et legionis XX
(The Concord of VI Victrix Pia Fidelis and XX Valeria Victrix)
Corbridge: slab. RIB 1125
Condates, see Mars Condates
Conservatores (the Preservers-of-welfare Gods)
South Shields: altar dedicated 211-12. RIB 1054
Contrebis, see also Ialonus Contrebis
Burrow-in-Lonsdale (Overborough): altar by Vatta. RIB 610
Coventina, see also Coventina Augusta, and Nympha
Coventina
Carrawburgh: altar to Conventina (sic) by Bellicus. RIB 1522
Carrawburgh: altar to Conveti(na) by Mausaeus, optio of cohors
I Frixiavonum. RIB 1523
Carrawburgh: altar to Coventina by Aurelius Campester for cohors I
Cubernorum. RIB 1524
Carrawburgh: altar to Coventina by Aurelius Crotus, a German. RIB
1525
Carrawburgh: altar to Coven(tina) by Vinomathus. RIB 1528
Carrawburgh: altar to Coventina by P[...]anus, miles. RIB
1529
Carrawburgh: altar to Covetine by Crotus. RIB 1532
Carrawburgh: altar to Covontina by Vincentius. RIB 1533
Carrawburgh: gabled relief to Covventina by Titus D(...) Cosconianus,
prefect of cohors I Batavorum. RIB 1534 (58)
Carrawburgh: relief to Covven[ti(na)] by Aelius [...]pius, prefect of cohors
I Batavorum. RIB 1535
Coventina Augusta
Carrawburgh: clay incense burner to Cove(n)tina Augusta made by
Saturninus Gabinius. RIB 1530 and (revised) RIB 2457.2
Cuda(?)
Daglingworth: relief. RIB 129
Cultores (Gods of this Place)
Risingham: altar by Julius Victor, tribune (of cohors I Vangionum;
see RIB 1217 under Jupiter Optimus Maximus below). RIB 1208
Custodes (Guardian Gods)
Vindolanda: altar by cohors II[II] Gallorum and Ve[...]
Caecil[...]. RIB 1687 (with Jupiter Optimus Maximus and Genius)
Deus, see also Mithras, and Mithras
Invictus
Caistor St Edmund: silver spoon bearing Vivas in Deo, in this
case implicitly Christian in the phrasing of the exhortation. RIB
2420.49
Carvoran: pedestal or perhaps an unfinished altar recording the gift of
a bracelet (armilum) from Binius. RIB 1806
Old Carlisle: altar to [D]eo by Flavius Aventinus. RIB 904
Rudchester: altar by L. Sentius Castus, (centurion?) of VI Victrix.
In this case, the findspot in the fort mithraeum makes it certain that Mithras
is meant. RIB 1398 (59)
Deus qui vias et semitas commentus est (God who
devised roads and paths)
Catterick: altar by Titus Irdas, singularis consularis, and
restored by Q. Varius Vitalis, beneficiarius consularis, in 191. RIB
725
Diana
Auchendavy: altar by M. Cocceius Firmus, centurion of II Augusta.
RIB 2174 (with Apollo)
Bath: altar by Vettius B[e]nignus, lib(ertus). RIB 138
Caerleon: slab recording restoration of a temple of Diana by T. Flavius
Postumius [V]arus, senator and (legionary) legate, probably mid-third century
if this is the man who was praefectus urbi in Rome in 271 (see RIB).
RIB 316
Corbridge: altar by N[...]. RIB 1126
Risingham: altar by Aelia Timo. RIB 1209
Diana Regina
Newstead: altar by G. Arrius Domitianus, centurion of XX Valeria
Victrix. RIB 2122 (see this man again at Newstead under Jupiter Optimus
Maximus and Silvanus)
Digenus?
Chester-le-Street: altar to Dig(enus?). RIB 1044
Hadrian's Wall (between Wallsend and Newcastle): altar to Di[genus?]
(reading very doubtful). RIB 1314
Dis
Lincoln: on a tombstone of a 9-year-old girl. RIB 265
Disciplina/Discipulina Augusti/Augustorum
(Discipline of the Emperor/Emperors)
Bertha: slab to Discipulinae Augusti. JRS xlix (1959), 136-7, no.
6
Bewcastle: altar to Discip(linae) Aug(usti) (secondary text). RIB 990
Birrens: altar by cohors II Tungrorum c(ivium) L(atinorum). RIB 2092
Castlesteads: altar of 209-11, rededicated 212-17, based on the text
AUGGG, altered to AUG, i.e. for Severus and his sons, and then Caracalla alone.
RIB 1978
Chesters: altar by ala Augusta for the Disciplina of Hadrian,
117-38. Brit. x (1979), 346, no. 7
Corbridge: base to Discipulinae Augustorum by II Augusta. RIB 1127
Corbridge?: slab to [Disci]p(ulinae) August[orum?] by cohors I [fida
Vardullor?]um under [P. Calpu]rnius Victor. RIB asserts that this
cannot predate 161-9, the first period of co-emperorship, but the relevant part
of the text is not extant so this is only an inference. The same applies to the
dedicant's name. RIB 1128
Greatchesters: altar. RIB 1723
Dolichenus, see Jupiter Optimus Maximus Dolichenus,
and Jupiter Dolichenus
Domesticae, see Matres Domesticae
Domina Nemesis (Lady Nemesis)
Caerleon: lead curse (anonymous). RIB 323
Domus Divina (Divine Imperial House)
Castlesteads(?): altar to Brigantia in honour of Caracalla and his
divine house by M. Cocceius Nigrinus, [pr]oc(urator) Aug(usti), between
212-17. RIB 2066 (with Nympha Brigantia)
Chichester: column base. RIB 89 (with Jupiter Optimus Maximus)
Chichester: slab recording the building of a temple to Neptune and
Minerva in honour of the Domus Divina by the guild of smiths on a site given by
[...]ens, son of Pudentinus, and by the authority of T. Claudius Togidubnus
(see Chapter 9). RIB 91 (with Neptune and Minerva)
Old Penrith: slab to D(omus) D(ivinae) recording the rebuilding of a
temple by Aurelius At[tianus?], prefect of cohors II Gallorum. RIB 916
(with Jupiter Optimus Maximus Dolichenus)
Vindolanda: altar by vicus inhabitants at Vindolanda. RIB 1700
(with Numina Augustorum and Volcanus)
Epona
Auchendavy: altar by M. Cocceius Firmus, centurion of II Augusta.
RIB 2177 (with Campestres, Mars, Minerva, Hercules, and Victoria)
Carvoran: altar by P[...] So[...]. RIB 1777
Fatum Bonum (Good Fate)
Maryport: altar by G. Cornelius Peregrinus, tribune of the cohort and decurio
of Saldae in Mauretania Caesariensis. RIB 812 (with Fortuna Redux,
Genius loci, and Roma Aeterna)
Faunus (all on silver spoons unless otherwise
mentioned)
Thetford: as Faunus Andicrose. RIB 2420.11
Thetford: as Faunus Ausecus (Faunus prick-ear/long-ear?). RIB
2420.12-13
Thetford: as Faunus Blotugus (Faunus Bringer of Spring Blossom or
Fosterer of Corn?). RIB 2420.14
Thetford: as Faunus Cranus. RIB 2420.15-16
Thetford: as Faunus Medigenus (Faunus the Mead-Begotten?). RIB
2420.17-19
Thetford: as Faunus Narius (Faunus the Lord), see also Narius
below. RIB 2420.20-1
Thetford: as Faunus Saternius (Faunus, Giver of Plenty?). RIB
2420.22
Fersomeri, see Unseni Fersomeri
Fimmilena et Beda (Alaisiagae)
Housesteads: shrine door jam by 'Germans, citizens of Twenthe'. RIB
1593 (with Mars Thincsus, and Numen Augusti)
Fontes (the Fountains)
Chester: altar by XX Valeria Victrix. RIB 460 (with
Nymphs)
Fortuna
Balmuildy: altar by Caecilius Nepos, tribune. RIB 2189
Binchester: altar by M. Valerius Fulvianus, prefect of cavalry. RIB 1029
Birdoswald: altar. RIB 1873
Birrens: altar by cohors I Nervana Germanorum. RIB 2093
Birrens: statue pedestal by Celer, libertus, for P. Campanius
Italicus, prefect of cohors I[I] Tungrorum. RIB 2094
Birrens: altar. RIB 2095
Bowes: altar by Virius Lupus, governor, restored a bath-house for cohors
I Thracum; work in charge of Valerius Fronto, prefect of ala Vettonum,
between c. 197-202. RIB 730
Caerleon: block by Julius [Ba]ssus, praefectus castrorum of (II
Augusta?). RIB 317
Carlisle: miniature clay altar inscribed (on the top). Brit. xxiv
(1993), 316, no. 6
Carrawburgh: altar by M. Flaccinius Marcellus, prefect of cohors I
Batavorum. RIB 1536
Carrawburgh: altar by Vitalis. RIB 1537 (60)
Carvoran (probably): altar by Audac(ilius) Romanus, centurion of VI,
XX, and II Augusta. RIB 1779
Castlecary: altar by vexillations of II Augusta and VI Victrix.
RIB 2146
Greatchesters: altar to [F]or[t]u(nae) by a vexillatio G(aesatorum) R(a)eto(rum)
commanded by the centurion Tabellius Victor. RIB 1724
Haltonchesters: altar. RIB 1423
Risingham: altar by G. Valerius Longinus, tribune. RIB 1210
(for this man again see Hercules, RIB 1214) (61)
Slack: altar by G. Antonius Modestus, centurion of VI Victrix. RIB 624
York: altar by Sosia Juncina, wife of Q. Antonius Isauricus, imperial
(legionary) legate, between. RIB 644 (71)
York: statue base by Metrob[ianus?], li[b(ertus), for the benefit
of Publius [Maesius] Auspicatus (Maesius is restored from the name of the
beneficiary's son on the stone). RIB 645
Unprovenanced (British origin): altar. RIB 2217 (with Numina
Augustorum)
Fortuna Augusta