1.23 ANTIQUITIES OF NORTHUMBERLAND. 



Marcus Eforqft, the fon of Acherm, dedicates this altar to AJiartc. 

 He fuppofes thefe names to be Syrian, Arabic, or Punic : Marcus, 

 the Prenomen to be adoptive, to romanize him ; and that he is the 

 prieft, who fet up the altar. 



That of Hercules was publifhed by Mr. Horjley, who reputed it 

 one of the greateil curiofities of the kind in Britain. It is now in 

 the pofleflion of his Grace the Duke of Northumberland. The 

 other is in the pofleflion of Mr. Walton *. The honourable Mr. 

 Baron Legge gave the infcription to the Royal Society, and it has 

 been elaborately explained by one of their learned members, 

 Mr. Bowman. 



Hercules was -the fymbol of the Sun. Julian informs us (m), that 

 magnificent Iports were celebrated at the conclufion of the year 

 faty amy.^Tu, to the invincible Sun. And the infcription, Soli inviflo, 

 is found upon the medals of many of the Roman Emperors. 



Divine honours were paid to him in open temples and groves, 

 :the inlUtution of which is very antient. 



Primufque Potitius auctor, 



Et domus Herculei cuftos pinaria facri 



Hanc aram luco flatuit, quse maxima Temper 



Dicetur nobis, et crit quse maxima Temper. 



Virg. JEn. viii. ver. 269, Sec. 



* Since dead, and his collection of Raman and other antiquities fold by his executors to 

 the Hon. and Rev. Mr. Graham, of Netberby, in Cumberland. 



(m) Oral. iv. 

 See MaundreW* Travels, or Journey from Aleppo to Jerufalem, p. 21. 



Potitius 



