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D M 
T- AVREL SVMMVS EQ^ 
SING- AVG- CLAVDIO 
VIRVNO NAT- NORIC (i) 
VIXIT ANN- XXVII MIL 
ANN- VIIII- P- AELIVS 
SEVERVS HERES 
AMICO OPTIMO F (2) 
But notwithftanding this appears to have been the 
ufual method of compofing fuch infcriptions, yet it 
was not always obfervedj and we meet with fome 
few inftances expreffed with the like brevity, as that 
undet confideration, which in words at length may 
be read in the following manner ; 
^ih Manihus. Aurelius MacrimiSy ex equitibus 
fingularibus Augujli. 
The peculiarity of this infcription, and what ren- 
ders it remarkable, is the charadler of the perfon, to 
whofe memory it was eredted. Thtit equites fingu^ 
lares are often mentioned in Gruter, Fabretti, and 
other colledtors of antient monuments ; but this is the 
firft inftance of them, which has ever occurred in 
any of our Britifh infcriptions. Modern writers have 
differed very much in their fentiments, concerning the 
particular office and duty of this part of the Roman 
cavalry ; but I ffiall content myfelf with mentioning 
only, what appears to me mod probable. 
(1) The fourth line of this infcription may, I think, be read 
thus : Viruno oriundus, nations Norisus, 
(2) Diar, JtaL ^ag. J15. 
It. 
