Record number: CHEGM: 1999 6 50

Object name: inscribed tombstone

Description: Tombstone of Legion XX Valeria Victrix. Base from a tombstone, with right margin chiselled away and lower edge damaged. The inscribed panel is supported on the left by a figure dressed in cloak, tunic and Phrygian cap. On the right there was probably a corresponding figure, now broken off. A beneficiarius was named from the officer who appointed him for some special duty. The fact that the wife of this serving soldier is expressly mentioned strongly suggests a third-century date, for Severus was the first emperor to allow soldiers to marry during their service. The absence of praenomen seems to mark a third-century date.

Period: Roman3rd century

Place found: North Wall (East), Chester

Date: 1887

Material: stone

Dimensions: height 16 inches; width 26 inches; depth 26 inches

Inscription: D M / TITINVS FELIX B / LEG LEG XX VV MIL AN / XXII(?) VIX AN XLV / IVL SIMILINA CO / NIUX ET HERES ...
D(is) M(anibus) Titinius Felix b(eneficiarius) leg(ati) leg(ionis) XX V(aleriae) V(ictricis), mil(itavit) an(nos) xxii(?), vix(it) an(nos) xlv Iul(ia) Similina coniux et heres [...
To the departed spirits, Titinius Felix, seconded to special duty (a beneficiarius) by the legate of the Twentieth legion, Valeria Victrix, served 22 (?) years, lived 45 years. His wife and heiress, Julia Similina [set this up].
Latin