The Notitia records that the præfect ‘_alæ primæ Astorum_’ was stationed at CONDERCUM. This slab, reads Ast_u_rum, not Ast_o_rum. At two other stations the same people resided; at CILURNUM, the Notitia places the præfect ‘_alæ secundæ Astorum_,’ and at Æsica, the tribune ‘_cohortis primæ Astorum_.’ At both these forts, as well as in the case immediately before us, inscriptions have been found which are written Ast_u_rum; the probability, therefore, is, that a clerical error has crept into the Notitia, and that it was the Astures, not the Asti (a people of Liguria), who garrisoned these posts. The Astures were a people from the eastern part of the modern Asturias, in Spain. 'Under the empire, the term _ala_ was applied to regiments of horse, raised, it would seem, with very few exceptions, in the provinces.'[67] This fractured slab, therefore, furnishes us with the information that the camp at Benwell was anciently named CONDERCUM, and that it was garrisoned by a Spanish cavalry regiment. It supplies other facts. This regiment was styled, probably on account of some illustrious achievement, Gordiana. The emperor Gordian, from whom this title is derived, began his reign in the year 238. We have thus a proof of the continued occupation of the camp until a date subsequent to this period. The event recorded by the inscription is to the same effect. A temple which had been erected, probably at the first formation of the station, had through time or the chances of war, become so entirely dilapidated, as to require rebuilding, and Titus Agrippa accomplished the work. The Romans, although they had at this time been long in the occupation of the isthmus, had then no thoughts of relinquishing it. The woodland deities, to whom the temple was dedicated, will require separate discussion afterwards. [Illustration: ‘altar] To the same occasion will be referred a remarkable altar inscribed to the three Lamiæ, which was discovered at this station. Two altars[68] of less importance, which were found here, may at once be disposed of. They are dedicated to one of the favourite deities of Rome—Mars. The focus, or place for burning the offering, is deep and well marked in each of them. They are small domestic altars, before which the soldier would perform his private devotions. As such, they give us a little insight into the heart and feelings of the worshipper. DEO M ARTI V ICTOR[I] VINDI[CI] V[OTVM] To the god Mars The Conqueror _and_ Avenger In performance of a vow.