Rereading the Secundinus Stone from Vindolanda

David Woods

doi:10.1017/S0068113X24000242

Rereading the Secundinus Stone from Vindolanda

David Woods

School of the Human Environment

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Meyer, Mullen, and Vanhala analysed the inscription SECVNDINVS CACOR accompanying the carving of a phallus on a stone excavated at Vindolanda and explained CACOR as the present passive of the verb cacare 'to shit out'. I suggest that CACOR may have been intended in abbreviation of CACORVM, the neuter genitive plural of the adjective cacus, a transliteration of the Greek κακός 'evil', and that the phallus is depicted ejaculating over this word to symbolise its apotropaic power over evil.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	299-302
Number of pages	4
Journal	Britannia (Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies)
Volume	55
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0068113X24000242
Publication status	Published - 1 Nov 2024

Keywords

apotropaic
bilingualism
inscription
phallus
Secundinus
Vindolanda

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10.1017/S0068113X24000242

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abstract = "Meyer, Mullen, and Vanhala analysed the inscription SECVNDINVS CACOR accompanying the carving of a phallus on a stone excavated at Vindolanda and explained CACOR as the present passive of the verb cacare 'to shit out'. I suggest that CACOR may have been intended in abbreviation of CACORVM, the neuter genitive plural of the adjective cacus, a transliteration of the Greek κακός 'evil', and that the phallus is depicted ejaculating over this word to symbolise its apotropaic power over evil.",

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AB - Meyer, Mullen, and Vanhala analysed the inscription SECVNDINVS CACOR accompanying the carving of a phallus on a stone excavated at Vindolanda and explained CACOR as the present passive of the verb cacare 'to shit out'. I suggest that CACOR may have been intended in abbreviation of CACORVM, the neuter genitive plural of the adjective cacus, a transliteration of the Greek κακός 'evil', and that the phallus is depicted ejaculating over this word to symbolise its apotropaic power over evil.

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KW - bilingualism

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KW - phallus

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KW - Vindolanda

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JO - Britannia (Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies)

JF - Britannia (Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies)

ER -

Rereading the Secundinus Stone from Vindolanda

Abstract

Keywords

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