Building-stone

Roman Britain, 2nd century AD
From the Hadrian's Wall fort at Benwell, Northumberland

The inscription LEG II AVG is marked both on and below a military standard flanked by Pegasus and a goat. It records the completion of building work by the Roman army's Second Legion Augusta. The Pegasus and Capricorn were the emblems of that legion. The main base of the second legion was at Caerleon, in Wales, but detachments were seconded to help in the construction of Hadrian's Wall.

The Wall, built by Emperor Hadrian (reigned AD 117-138), was a continuous defensive barrier that guarded the north-western frontier of the province from barbarian invaders. It extended from coast to coast, running for 118 kilometres (73 miles) from Segedunum (Wallsend) on the River Tyne in the east, to Bowness on the Solway Firth in the west.