ROME FOR ROME

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1935, Page 22 (Supplement)

ROME FOR ROME

A CUMBERLAND PRESENT. ALTAR STONE TO JUPITER. '-.A'.' . ■ ■ '■ When we learn that England has sent Italy a Roman altar we are tempted to a£k why coals should be sent to Newcastle, says the Children’s Newspaper. But there can be very, very few Roman altars in Italy like this. > It is inscribed “To Jupiter, the first Cohort of the Dalmatians commanded by Lucius Calcilius Vegetus, in discharge of a vow." .The Roman soldier set up the little i. altar, which is 39 inches high, not far from the northern extremity of the territory reached by the sword of Rome. : It was found at Netherhall near Maryport in Cumberland. Colonel G. J. Pocklington, of Netherhall, has given it to the Italian Government, and it will be shown in the ex- '. luhition which is being arranged in honour of the 2000th anniversary of the Emperor Augustus. Although Rome has so many memorials of those glorious days she has

probably none from the outposts of the colony in England, and she will be as glad to receive this as wetehould be to receive from America a stone set up by Sir Walter Raleigh. A vow would seem to be the most intangible thing in the world, and it is strange to think how this vow has survived the men who made it, and is remembered when they are forgotten. Surely it was for victory over the barbarians that they prayed to Jupiter. They conquered, and fulfilled their promise to give him an altar. The barbarians, who' always honour a man who keeps his word, now’ give the altar back to Rome.

Whether Lucius Calcilius Vegetus himself ever returned to the Eternal City, or whether he mingled his dust with England, we do not know; nor do we know whether he was rich or poor, witty or dull, handsome or ugly, a solitary man or friendly. But he kept his promises and got his immortality.