Altar to Apollo-Mithras from Whitley Castle

TNMM 2130 ↔ CIMRM 837B

An altar found in 1837 'in digging a drain about 100 yards east of the N–E angle of the Roman fort at Whitley Castle near Alston (Northumberland).' Newcastle upon Tyne, Black Gate Museum.

Wright in JRS XXXIII, 1943, 36ff and Pl. II; 77f No. 1.

'The altar was 21 in. wide by 55 in. high and was set in a socket in a large slab, 48 by 28 by 8 in., which acted as a base and was itself supported on four pillars, each about a foot high.' It has sculptured panels on all four sides, which represent Apollo Citharoedus (front); standing Sol-Apollo in a crown of five rays (r. side); 'a bearded man, clad in a tunic and facing dexter, proffers a cup in his r.h. and holds a jug at his l. side.' He appears to be about to pour a libation to Apollo-Maponus(?) dressed in a tunic with a cloak thrown over the shoulders and carrying a sceptre or staff in his r.h. (l. side).

'On the back panel the central figure, draped, stands upon a projecting mass, perhaps a rock; in his r.h. he holds an object resembling a sceptre against his shoulder. He is flanked by two torchbearers, with lowered torch on the dexter and upraised on the sinister side.' Prof. Wright rightly supposes that we have to do with Apollo-Mithras and the two torchbearers Cautes and Cautopates (Cf. No. 843).

On the die runs the following inscription:

CIL VII, 309; Wright in JRS XXXIII, 1943, 77f No. 1.

D[e]o / Apo[lli]n[i] G/[. . . . . .]ius / . . . . . . . . . / .C[o]h(ors) [II] Ne[r](viorum).