The Septimius Stone, 360-363AD

This inscribed stone would once have stood at the base of a column surmounted by a statue dedicated to Jupiter. Lucius Septimius, the governor of Britannia Prima, restored the statue under the reign of the emperor Julian (360-363AD).

The stone is almost square and is inscribed on three sides. The top is flat and has a dowel hole. The bottom is also flat with a socket for attachment to a lower stone base. It is not known whether the fourth side of the stone was ever inscribed, but it is possible that an inscription was chipped away at a later date.

The inscription reads as follows: 'To Jupiter, Best and Greatest, His Perfection Lucius Septimius ... governor of Britannia Prima, restored (this monument), being a citizen of Rheims. This statue and column erected under the ancient religion restored by Septimius, ruler of Britannia prima.



Due to a major redevelopment the Corinium Museum will be closed to the public until Spring 2004. For further details please visit our website.

For further information please contact: Cotswold Museums ServiceCorinium MuseumPark StreetCirencesterGlos. GL7 2BX

Tel: 01285 655611Fax: 01285 643286