C 41 ] 
of the confuls Aper and Maximus , who are men- 
tioned in it, and anfwer to the year 20 7 of our com- 
mon aera (1). The reft of them have nothing cer- 
tain to determine their age j tho by fome circum- 
fiances which attend them, they feem generally to 
agree better with later times. But if that particular 
form of either of thofe letters is not to be found 
in any of our Britijh infcriptions hitherto publifhed, 
before the reign of Commodus or Severus j it by no 
means follows, that it might not have been ufed 
fooner. And there was only the reign of Marcus 
Aurelius , that intervened between thofe of Antoninus 
Pius and Commodus , who in a few months was fuc- 
ceeded by Severus. Befides,.as the fixth legion, after 
it fettled at York , feems to have been flatedly quar- 
tered there, till the Romans left Britain (2); I do 
not perceive, either to what other time, or perfon 
with the charadter of pilot to that legion, the eredtion 
of this altar can be afcribed. But this I leave to the 
further confideration of the curious, to judge of it as 
they pleafe. 
G. C. Nov. 9, 
1752. 
J. Ward. 
(1) Cumbtrland , xliv. 
(l) See HorJley y p. 79. 
F 
VI. 
