h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello Bob,

Hello Bob,

I am travelling on your journey through Roman Britain...

'Richborough (Rutupiae)- The original landing site of the 43 AD invasion by Claudius and important enough for a Triumphal Arch to be erected at the fort to commemorate the landing. The Arch has long since gone but the foundations have been located, a full description has survived, including the inscription.'

The last sentence - does that mean has a full original description of the arch survived, including the inscription of what would have been on it? In what form did the description survive, was it excavated near the foundations? Do you know what the inscription said?

Thanks,

Please ignore my earlier message. I should have known you would have included the inscription I was being impatient and wanted to know what it said but I should just have continued reading your article!

Just one thing – would it be possible to have the inscription as it was in Latin as well – maybe as a foot note?

Thanks – it’s a very interesting and informative read by the way!

The inscription from Richborough has not survived and was reported as a duplicate of the arch in Rome and Boulogne Claudius's departure point for Britain. The senate granted 2 arches Rome and Boulogne but 3 were built Rome Boulogne and Richborough

The best preserved is the inscription in Rome

'To Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, son of Drusus, Pontifex Maximus, with Tribunician Power for the eleventh time, Consul 5 times, hailed as Imperator 22 times, Censor, Father of his Country, the senate and people of Rome grant this because he received the surrender of 11 kings of the Britons conquered without loss, and he first brought the barbarian peoples across the Ocean under the authority of the Roman people'.

TI CLAV(dio Drvsi F(ilio) Cae)SARI
AVGV(sto Germani)CO
PONTIFIC(i Maxim(o) Trib(vnicia) Potes)TAT(e) XI
CO(n)S(vli) V IM(p xxii Cens(ori) Patri Pa)TRIAE
SENATVS PO(pvlvsque) RO(manvs q)VOD
REGES BRIT(annorvm) XI D(evictos sine)
VLLA IACTVR(a in deditionem accepterit)
GENTESQVE B(arbaras trans oceanvm)
PRIMVS INDICI(onem popvli Romani redegerit)

There are reports of the same inscription on arches in Aphrodisias in Turkey and the western gate of the city of Colchester, giving a total of 5 dedications spaning the Empire.

It is complex and beyond absolute proof as the framents from Richborough provide only strong support, but information supplied as requested

I hope it is what you wanted.


Bob...

PS: the entry is just about to be front paged and I cant access it.
SchrEck Inc.needs to do the alteration please could you notify him please.


Bob...

Hello Bob, Thanks very much for the extra information - and the Latin inscription (I always like to see things in Latin along with the translation to see how much I can try and figure out!) It's all now added to your article.

You are very welcome.

Bob...

I have had a look, May I ask a favour in that you consider the alternate layout center the margins.

And attribute the translatin (the only one I could find) to this site
http://www.roman-britain.org/people/_eleven.htm#cilvi920

I dont wish to offend any opyright

Bob...

Hello Bob,
I have added the Roman Britain website to the footnote about the Arch, and added the link to the References section.

With the alternate layout - do you mean having the Latin displayed as it is on the webpage - aligned centre instead of aligned left as it is at present? I thought that was what you meant, just wanted to check.

Thanks,

Thank you and yes center it I think it might look better.

I will leave the final decision to you however.

I will get back to debating with Rddox over the Fosse Way entry

Bob...

Hello Bob,
I have centred the text - it does look much better now!
Enjoy your debate