Dedicatory plaque
Roman Britain, about AD 222-235
From Colchester, Essex
A Scot pays homage to Mars
The inscription has been punched onto a bronze plaque. It is of
traditional ansate (winged rectangle) shape (tabula
ansata). It is dedicated to Mars Medocius, a combination of
the Roman god of war and a local British deity who may have had
similar warlike qualities.
Lossio Veda, who made the dedication, was probably a visitor or
immigrant, perhaps a merchant, for he proudly proclaims his
northern Scottish origins. The inscription translates: 'To the god
Mars Medocius of the Campeses and to the Victory of our Emperor
Alexander Pius Felix, Lossio Veda, grandson [or nephew] of
Vepogenus, a Caledonian, set up this gift from his own
resources'.
The reference to the emperor Severus Alexander dates this
inscription to his reign, AD 222-35.