Roman Soldier's Altar Unearthed in Britain

Nearly two thousand years ago, a Roman soldier was sent to an outpost far from his home among a race of people he likely viewed as savages. As people often do in a strange place, he built an altar to the mother goddess of his homeland, which was likely someplace in what is now Germany. Unlike other soldiers of his time, however, we now know this man's name.

Thanks to a recent discovery near Manchester, England, the Roman centurion called Aelius Victor has been identified. Not only that, he left us a little gift -- an altar bearing the inscription: "To the mother goddesses Hananeftis and Ollototis, Aelius Victor willingly and deservedly fulfils a vow."

The altar, which archeologists says is in excellent condition, considering its age, was unearthed in an area of Manchester earmarked for development. Because Hananeftis and Ollototis were minor goddess worshipped in parts of Germania, experts suspect that's where Aelius Victor hailed from. At some point, most likely around the first century C.E., he found himself stationed in a remote fort called Mamuciam -- so named because of the breast-like shape of a local outcrop. Now, his altar will go on display at the Manchester Museum.

Another Roman altar was discovered about 400 years ago. In 1612, one dedicated by an officer named Lucius Seiacianius Martius was found near York.