Stunning image of mythical winged goddess revealed at ancient Roman fort in UK
Centuries ago, a 73-mile-long stone wall marked the northwest border of the expansive Roman Empire.
The wall was built on order of Emperor Hadrian in 122 A.D and includes Vindolanda, a Roman fort.
For decades, archaeologists have been working along Hadrian's Wall to better understand the daily lives of soldiers and those at the northernmost reaches of the empire, including by inviting volunteers to try their hand at excavations.
Sometimes those volunteers make their own discoveries.
On May 1, veteran volunteers Jim and Dilys Quinlan were looking through stones that had been reused above infantry barracks when they noticed a figure on one of the rocks, according to a May 21 news release from the Vindolanda Charitable Trust.
The relief depicts a woman, identified by archaeologists as the goddess Victoria, or Victory, according to the release.
The counterpart to Greek goddess Nike, Victoria personified victory and was 'highly revered by the ancient Romans, during times of war she was often credited for battlefield success,' according to the trust.
Victory is commonly depicted as a winged figure, holding a palm frond or laurel and descending from above as a messenger of the gods, according to the University of Chicago.
On the stone, the front of her body is visible, but the complete image has been damaged as the piece was reused for another construction.
'The stone is thought to be one side of a much larger relief which would have framed an inscription in its center. These particular barracks at Vindolanda were built at the end of a tumultuous time for the Romans in Britain, in (213 A.D.), just after the end of the Severan wars,' the trust said. 'The barracks were once adorned with a large ornamental arch and gate, precisely the location where an inscription may have been present. The relief of Victory is poignant, representing the end of the war and the establishment of the fort at the site.'
Roman reliefs were commonly painted with bright colors, and it is likely this figure was painted at one time, according to the trust. Specialists will examine the image to see if there are any remnants of pigment that could be used to determine the colors once marking Victory's body.
'Finds like this are increasingly rare these days from Roman Britain, but the beautifully carved figure vividly reminds us that Roman forts were not simply utilitarian, they had grandeur and of course the symbolism was a vital part of the culture here for the soldiers almost 2,000 years ago,' Andrew Birley, director of excavations, said in the release.
The Quinlans have been volunteering at Vindolanda for more than two decades, the trust said.
'I am also delighted for Jim and Dilys for their discovery,' Birley said. 'It is just reward for their 21 years of hard work and dedication to this site.'
Hadrian's Wall, and Vindolanda, have made headlines for past discoveries, particularly for a collection of phallic-shaped carvings, images and charms discovered among the rocks.
Vindolanda is located in Hexham in north-central England.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
21 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
46 Photos Of Things From The 19th And 18th Century
This 1800s 25¢ bill: This 1880s ID card: This 18th century diving suit: These 1800s shoes for crushing chestnuts: This 18th century fire alarm that you'd need to hit with a hammer to alert the village of a fire: This 18th century machine that let researchers read up to eight open books at once: This 1840s medical inhaler that administered anesthesia: This 18th century condom: This 1890s brass knuckle pistol: This 1850s women's self defense glove: This 1800s hidden staircase in a Victorian home: These 18th century sword-shaped Chinese coins: This 1830s clock: This 1700s oil lamp: This 1880s Victorian dollhouse: This 1740 wheelchair for Holy Roman Empress Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel: This 1820 coffin collar that prevented grave robbers from stealing corpses: This 18th century Scottish mortsafe to stop graverobbers: This 1890 steamer trunk that converts into a dresser: This 1880s penny farthing bike: This 1850 $10 bill: 1890s manners book: This 18th century gaming device that came before the pinball machine: This mid-1700s well that was glassed over and eventually became part of a home's kitchen: This 18th century French chair for reading books: This 1750s wall latern: This 18th century mansion's dog grave: This 18th century case of amputation instruments: This 18th century lock that requires four keys to open: This 18th century palace hall: This 1700s graffiti on a cathedral: This 18th century building in Norland, Norway: This 1700s lighthouse Fresnel lens: This 1800s sundial alarm clock: This 1800s pepperbox pistol: This 19th Century guide on how much you could sue for loosing a limb: This 1830 cost of a semester at Harvard: This 18th century uranium glass china that glows under UV light: This 1800s cemetery that was preserved in the basement of a building: This 1840 Japanese shadow puppet guide: This 1880 tap and die set (aka toolkit): This 1821 recipe for Ginger Ale: This 1800s corner chair: This 1800s telephone: This 19th century Victorian home library: And finally, this 19th century guide on who to avoid in the marriage market:
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Mary Manios, Warren, Ohio
WARREN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) — Mary Manios, 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Wednesday afternoon, June 4, 2025, at St. Joseph Warren Hospital. Mary was born July 6, 1936, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a daughter of late George and Juanita Mitaras. Find obituaries from your high school Mary graduated as valedictorian of her class from Schenley High School in Pittsburgh. Immediately after graduation, she went to work for the Pittsburgh Pirates as personal secretary to Branch Rickey, the general manager of the Pirates. Her work with the Pirates and Mr. Rickey were some of the most memorable years of her life, where she formed lifelong relationships with people from the Pirates organization. While living in Pittsburgh, Mary met the love of her life, Franklin Manios, during a church outing. Shortly after, the two were married at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Upon moving to Warren, Mary worked briefly for Warren Savings and Loan. She then focused her time helping develop the filing system for her husband's business, Franklin Pharmacy in Warren. Mary was a key factor in the pharmacy's continued success because of her organizational skills. Mary enjoyed playing cards, getting together with friends, and listening and dancing to Greek music. If there was one thing she was great at, it was throwing parties and weddings. Mary also loved traveling, having traveled the world with her husband, Frank, through AHEPA and other different organizations. She particularly enjoyed trips to Greece, where she connected with her relatives and learned about her heritage. Mary was known for driving her three children and mother across the United States to sightsee and learn about different landmarks. One of her favorite destinations was her condo in Clearwater Beach, Florida. She was also an avid Pittsburgh sports fan, attending many Steelers, Pirates and University of Pittsburgh games, including some Super Bowls and championships. If she wasn't at a game, she was eagerly watching on TV. Mary's most important role was being a homemaker. She enjoyed sewing and annually made her children's Halloween costumes. Mary enjoyed preparing Greek delicacies for family and friends, especially her pastichio, tiropita (cheese pie) and her famous Greek spaghetti and rigatoni. She was an avid reader of books and encouraged her kids to always read and keep learning. She was an exceptional writer and had beautiful penmanship, writing the most beautiful cards and letters. Mary crafted most of her husband, Frank's, speeches for volunteer activities, which she would proofread and rehearse with him. She was also an advanced pianist and enjoyed playing the piano in her was a lifelong member of The Daughters of Penelope, Philoptochos Society of St. Demetrios and Trumbull County Pharmaceutical Wives Auxiliary. She was dedicated to living her life according to her Greek Orthodox faith. Mary faithfully read the Bible and attended church. She was dedicated to her family and the hobbies and interests of her children and grandchildren became her own. Mary's loving presence will be missed by all who knew her. Mary was a loving wife and will always be remembered by her husband of 70 years, Franklin R. Manios of Warren. She will be dearly missed by her children, Irene H. (Dr. Patsy) Buccino of Poland, Lee F. (Judy) Manios of Warren and Juanita G. Manios (companion, Theodore Powers) of Warren; grandchildren, Danny Buccino, Maria Stroup, Frankie Manios and David Manios; niece, Trina (Greg) Baldwin; and nephew, Lee Michael Manios. Besides her loving parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, Mary was preceded in death by her infant sister, Eleni; many loved cousins, especially Helen Florent, whom she considered a sister; and a brother-in-law, Michael (Sonia) Manios. Family and friends may visit and pay tribute to Mary 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 429 High St. NE, Warren, OH 44481. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Constantine Valantasis and the Rev. Demetri Constantine presiding. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary's name to St.. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 429 High St. NE, Warren, OH 44481; or to Mercy Health Hospice of the Valley. Special thanks to the staff, doctors and nurses at St. Joseph Warren Hospital and to Mercy Health Hospice of the Valley. Very special thanks to all of Mary's caregivers and friends who helped take such good care of her. She loved you all, as well as Fr. Constantine Valantasis. Arrangements are being handled by the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Manios, please visit our floral 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
A 1,500-Year-Old Map Helped Researchers Find a Lost Byzantine City
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Researchers recently found one of the many lost Holy Land cities in Jordan. The team used maps and field surveys to identify the site. Experts believe the lost city Tharais wasn't just an agricultural village—it may have also been a spiritual hub. The Madaba Mosaic Map is perhaps the most famous geographical masterpiece of the ancient Near East. Believed to have been built during Emperor Justinian's reign (527-565 A.D.), the tile art piece is the oldest surviving map of Jordan's Holy Lands. The map is located in Madaba, Jordan, and depicts a total of 157 sites—many of which have yet to be found. One of the many lost cities is a place called Tharais, which dates all the way back to the Byzantine Empire. And researchers might have just found it. Starting in 2021, a research team led by Musallam R. al-Rawahneh—an associate professor of archeology and ancient Near East studies at Mutah University—began looking for Tharais. The field project lasted until 2024, and the team recently published their findings in the journal Gephyra. Finding a lost city is no easy task, and researchers had to use several different methods to track down Tharais. Maps, including both the Madaba Mosaic and more contemporary maps, gave researchers a starting baseline. They then conducted a field survey near a modern city near the southeastern edge of the Dead Sea called El-'Iraq. There, researchers found remnants of mosaic floors, glassware, and various tools—all compelling evidence that that was where Tharais once thrived. Most notably, the team uncovered features resembling a Byzantine basilica—an oblong building with an open-air central room. Collaborative efforts with other institutions from Spain and France added further evidence to the scene when researchers discovered Greek and Latin funerary inscriptions. These inscriptions suggest the existence of a Christian community in the area, supporting the theologic identity of the site. A doorway consistent with architecture in Byzantine churches was also found, further affirming the site's supposed history. In short: all signs point toward religion. 'The prominence of Tharais on the Madaba Map and the discovery of a basilica church structure suggest that it served not only as an agricultural village but also as a sacred site and commercial rest stop,' al-Rawahneh said in a Türkiye Today report. And according to the team, the presence of religion didn't weaken the city's economy. The presence of olive oil presses, windmills, and grape crushing equipment suggests that Tharais was economically self-sustaining. Perhaps the most convincing indications of the site's true identity are the parallels between the structures found by the researchers and the Madaba Mosaic Map. The arrangement of gates, ruins, and even towers closely match the map's depiction of the lost city. As for the future of Tharais, the team says that they wish to preserve the area from El-'Iraq's rapid urbanization. 'Our aim is not just to uncover Tharais,' Al-Rawahneh explained in the report, 'but also to advocate for the protection of Jordan's rich cultural heritage.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
