Roman Altar
From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction
Volume 13, No. 363, Saturday, March 28, 1829
To the Editor of the Mirror
Enclosed I send you a drawing of a Roman votive altar,
which was found in digging a cellar about six feet deep, in
St. Sepulchre's Gate, Doncaster, in the year 1781. It is the
oldest relic of antiquity which Doncaster has yet produced,
and is of exquisite engraving and workmanship. Upon the
capital, or top of the stone, a small space above the
sculpture of the altar itself, is a crater or flowing bowl*,
sacred to Bacchus, the god of wine; on the dexter, or right
side of the altar, is a flower-pot, or cornucopi�, with five
branches in it, loaded with leaves and fruit, sacred to
Ceres, or Terra-Mater, the goddess of plants; and on the
sinister, or left side thereof, is a large jug or pitcher
with a large handle, also sacred to Bacchus. It is about 2
feet 6-1/2 inches in height, and 1 foot in breadth at the
base. The corporation employed a Mr. Richard John Tetlow, of
Ferrybridge, a celebrated antiquary, to interpret the
inscription, and give them his opinion on its age. They also
sent it to the Antiquarian Society in London for inspection.
*If not a flowing bowl, then it is the shield of Diana.
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