The Roman Wall / A historical, topographical, and descriptive account of the barrier of the lower isthmus, extending from the Tyne to the Solway, deduced from numerous personal surveys

by J. Collingwood Bruce

Willingly and deservedly.

WORSHIP OF THE SUN.

Another small and roughly-cut altar procured from the same place, and also now at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has a figure of the sun on its capital: Hodgson reads the inscription in this manner—Hieronymus, performing a vow, freely and duly dedicates this to the sun.

When we contemplate the powerful and beneficial influence of the sun, we cannot be surprised that the worship of this luminary, especially in the east, constituted the first form of idolatry—

To solemnize this day, the glorious sun

Stays in his course, and plays the alchemist;

Turning, with splendour of his precious eye,

The meagre cloddy earth to glittering gold.

WORSHIP OF MITHRAS.