98 PAPEES, ETC. 



Minerva. The inscription has several united letters. Ano- 

 tlier altar, dedicated to the same goddess, and to the 

 Numina Augustorum, was found in the cistern of the Gross 

 Bath, 1809. It bears the name of Caius Curiatius Satur- 

 ninus, an officer of the Second Legion. 



In the year 1 753, an altar was found at the lower end of 

 Stall Street, together with two otliers. It is dedicated to 

 the Sulevce, by Sulinus Scultor ; but who the Sidevte were, 

 cannot be ascertained. The most probable conjecture is, 

 that they were nymphs of these spi'ings, the progeuy or the 

 attendants of the Dea Sul. 



Whitaker believes this to have been the altar that 

 stood in the centre of the Temple of ]\Iinerva. He con- 

 siders the focus, which is long and shallow, and nearly the 

 whole size of the top of the altar, to have contained the 

 copper pan in which the fire was placed, and kejit burning 

 continually. The perpetual fires of Vesta were kept 

 burning vl\ pans o? earth. This altar is of rough workman- 

 ship ; and it is conjectured from this, that the altar, by 

 reason of the fire continually burning, was obliged to be 

 often renewed. 



" This stood, we apprehend, almost under the opening, 

 and before a pillar supporting the roof, as our temple had 

 no circular pillars without, and therefore must have had, at 

 least, one pillar within. A fragment of one was found in the 

 ruins, as has been already noticed. This, he observes, was 

 strikingly fitted for the support of the roof, and he endea- 

 vours to prove this from its dimensions, and the manner in 

 which it has been cut. Another altar, found at the same time 

 and place, is dedicated to ' Jupiter Cetius, Mars, and Neme- 

 toua.' Who this latter deity was, appears very uncertain. 

 Mr. Warner is disposed to consider it the name of the local 

 deity of the town, Nemetotacio, which is supposed to be 



