Find Spot record 8088/29 - Roman altar from Bridge Street Row East

In 1861 an altar was found in Mr I E Ewen's premises in Bridge Street Row, near to the spot where the ancient Blue Posts Tavern formerly stood (No 17 Bridge Street Row, East) dedicated to Minerva by Furius Fortunatus. On the right-hand side of the altar are an axe and a knife and on the left-hand side a jug and patera (1).

Possibly from the site of a tribune's house, although these appear to have been located to the north (2) The Roman altar was frequently found in homes, markets, public buildings and sacred spaces, often within a shrine or niche in the wall of the building. They are frequently inscribed with a dedication to a deity as well as decorated with carved sculptures.

RIB i 457

<1> Thompson Watkin W. T., 1886, Roman Cheshire: A Description of Roman Remains in the County of Chester, p181-182 (Book). SCH2878.

<2> Lawson, P H, 1926, Schedule of the Roman Remains of Chester with Maps and Plans, no 31 (Article in Journal). SCH5956.

<3> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, p148 (Book). SCH3556.

<4> n/a, 1864, A Brief Abstract of the Proceedings of the Society, p406 (Article in Journal). SCH5525.

<5> Collingwood R G & Wright R P, 1965, The Roman Inscriptions of Britain: Volume I, RIB i 457 (Monograph). SCH3235.

<6> Haverfield, F, 1900, Catalogue of the Roman Sculptured stones in the Grosvenor Museum, No 9 (Article in Journal). SCH5530.

<7> Henig D.F, 2004, Roman Sculpture in the NW Midlands, No 12 (Book). SCH6862.