tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38472234.post3429474370957426390..comments2024-02-04T03:57:19.271+01:00Comments on Zenobia: Empress of the East: The Little Queen at Hadrian's WallJudith Weingartenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06683483030413488309noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38472234.post-87149266064698081762016-09-08T02:32:13.462+02:002016-09-08T02:32:13.462+02:00Dear Dr. Weingarten:
Thank you for your very inte...Dear Dr. Weingarten:<br /><br />Thank you for your very interesting account of Barates and his wife Regina. After hiking the Hadrian's Wall footpath in July I've become interested in the Syrian and Mesopotamian presence in northern Britain during the time of Roman occupation. My interest stems from a 36-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service, a majority of which was spent serving in Arab countries.<br /> <br />In searching online for other sources of information I've found The Aleppo Project ( http://www.thealeppoproject.com/a-celtic-queen-and-her-syrian-husband/ ), which states that Regina's tombstone dates "from around 180 CE." Since The Aleppo Project seems primarily focused on hopes for the eventual recovery of Syria from the current civil war, I'm guessing that the date of 180 is not one based on rigorous academic research, but it deals with a question I've been wondering about--that is, just when did Barates and Regina live.<br /><br />You note that Septimius Severus came to northern England in 208 and died in 211. You also say "Since these Catuvellauni were involved in the reconstruction of Hadrian's Wall, their presence in the north can probably be dated to the time of Septimius Severus in the early third century. That puts Regina's tribesmen at the Wall at pretty much the right time. Q.E. (not exactly) D. but as credible a source for the girl as we are likely to find." Speaking of other foreigners among the communities living near the Wall, you also say "In the late second century, among this foreign flock was a man called Barates and his wife, Regina."<br /> <br />I'm trying to reconcile the two estimates, in order to determine some reasonable death dates. It seems that Septimius turned his attention to Britain late in his reign. If it was already in the third century when he ordered the strengthening of the Hadrian's Wall forts, and if it's the opportunities to work in this restoration that brought the Catuvellaunians to the north, possibly creating the opportunity for Barates to buy his young wife, then it's unlikely the tombstones would date from the late second century. I'm wondering what your view is on this (the dates of the tombstones), and whether you could refer me to any published information that might deal with this question.<br /><br />I'm also trying to learn more about the Tigris boatmen, in case you could suggest information sources on that topic. The Tyneside History webpage for South Shields fort suggests that Barates came with them, but I don't see how that can be correct. (See: http://www.englandsnortheast.co.uk/SouthShieldsOrigins.html The quote is: "A company of skilled Arab bargemen from the River Tigris are known to have worked on the Tyne at Arbeia in the 4th century and perhaps early 5th century. They were the last-known Roman inhabitants at South Shields. ... <br />Intriguingly the Arabs at Arbeia came from the far eastern reaches of the Roman Empire and found themselves working in the far north-western corner of that same Empire so their skills must have been in high demand. One of their number is known to have married a British woman called Regina, whose tombstone can be seen in the Arbeia museum.") Perhaps this is just careless drafting that confounds the Syrian archers of the second century with the boatmen of the fourth. Personally I had been inclined to believe that Barates was probably associated in some way with the archers, and pre-dated the Tigris boatmen by at least a hundred years.<br /><br />If you have time to share thoughts on these questions I'd be most appreciative. I find the format of regular email easier to work with, in case you'd like to reply directly to me at cocecil@comcast.net<br /><br />With best wishes,<br />Charles O. Cecil<br />Charles O. Cecilhttp://www.cecilimages.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38472234.post-87136588295016670542011-08-18T01:11:49.509+02:002011-08-18T01:11:49.509+02:00I saw this tombstone last May on my walk of Hadria...I saw this tombstone last May on my walk of Hadrian's Wall Path and visit to Arebeia. I took a photo of it because it struck me as unusual because of the script at the bottom. It's a nice representation of a tombstone dedicated to a wife by her husband. Enjoyed your analysis.magistrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10634806304659893954noreply@blogger.com