| RefNo | MS/790/70 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from [Lucius Henry] Hibbins, Norton, to Martin Folkes |
| Creator | Hibbins; Lucius Henry ( fl.1720s-1760s ); Reverend |
| Recipient | Folkes; Martin (1690 - 1754); antiquary and natural philosopher |
| Date | c.1723 |
| Description | As requested Hibbins has made a copy of a Roman inscription recently discovered in St Martin's Lane Chichester and he is enclosing it for Folkes with a letter from Mr Howkes including Howke's reading of the lost parts [enclosures not present]. Hibbins would not have troubled Folkes with his observations after they were censured by 'that learned gentleman', expect that Folkes requested them, and he hopes they may help fill in the lost parts. He observes that there are two different stops or pointings on the stone and describes in detail the character of these and the effect on the interpretation. He notes that dates of Roman emperors' reigns do not always align with their Tribunitial powers. He makes some observations about his own interpretation of the last line of the incsription which differs from Howkes', he suggests that this is the name of the person who commissioned the inscription and that it would have read L.S.C. meaning they were of the Cohort quinta of the Legio secunda. He also adds some conjecture on the last broken letter suggesting if it is an 'M' it might identify the quarters of the cohort as being at Mutuantonis, confirming the opinion of William Stukeley that the name is associated with the Roman one for Chichester. He also notes the practice of hanging up shields in temples to honor Roman Emperors which might help interpret the letters CV as clypeus votisus [Clipeus virtutis was an honorific accorded to Augustus in 27BC]. |
| Extent | 3p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA8378 | Folkes; Martin (1690 - 1754); antiquary and natural philosopher | 1690 - 1754 |