8-10. Three Roman Memorials
(8)'To Tiberius Claudius Amianthus, freedman of Augustus. He lived 20[?] years. Eros and Natalis, his brothers, set this up.
Ti(berio) Claudio A[ug(usti) L(iberto)] | Amiantho S[t…] | Vixit Ann(os) XX[…] |
Eros et Natalis Fra[tres] | Fratri Feceru[nt]
This decorated memorial tablet has, above the inscription, a triangular pediment containing a wreath, eagle and palm branch. On the left hand side is an arrow and thunderbolt pattern, and below is a dart pattern in two rows radiating out from the centre of the memorial. The letters and decoration, finished in red pigment, are well-spaced and sized. The right hand edge of the inscription does not survive.
The incomplete first line may read A[ug(usti) L(iberto)], ‘freedman of Augustus.’ This funerary memorial was excavated in 1840 by the noted Italian collector Giampietro Campana near a sepulchre for the freedmen of Tiberius and Claudius. The end of the second line may have recorded Amianthus’ position in the Imperial familia (household), and he had reached at least his twentieth year. The reconstruction of the final two lines is more secure. The brothers of the deceased, Eros and Natalis, set up the memorial for their brother. They were both slaves.
(9)‘To the Departed Spirits. Marcus Gavius Socrates set this up for Gavia Chrysis, [his] well-deserving mother.’
D(is) M(anibus) | M(arcus) Gavius | Socrates Ga- | viae Chrysidi | Matri B(ene)
M(erenti) F(ecit)
This memorial tablet, highlighted with black pigment, was set up by a son for his mother. The letters are well formed and traces of the mason’s guiding lines are still visible on its right side. Gavia’s nomen is divided over two lines so that as much information as possible could be recorded on this small tablet. Both mother and son have Greek cognomina: Chrysis’ name translates into English as ‘golden,’ while her son shares a name with the famous Athenian philosopher Socrates. As both mother and son have the same nomen Gavius/Gavia, and also Greek cognomina, they may both have been ex-slaves.
(10)‘To the Departed Spirits, for Felix, sweetest child. His nurse, for the sake of his memory.’
Θ(εοῖς) Κ(αταχθονίοις) | Φήλικι παιδὶ | γλυκυτάτῳ | <ὁ> θρέψας μ(νήμης) χ(άριν)
Found near the Church of St Sebastian on the Via Appia, this inscription is significant for its extensive use of Greek for several Latin words. It has been rejoined down the centre and the quality of lettering is noticeably poor. The first line uses the distinctive Θ·Κ abbreviation, standing for Θ(εοῖς) Κ(αταχθονίοις), ‘to the departed spirits.’ This is a Hellenisation of the Latin phrase, dis manibus. The first word on the second line is also a Hellenisation of the Roman term felix, ‘lucky,’ this time transliterated rather than translated. The memorial was setup for the boy, Felix, by his nurse. M·X is an abbreviation for μ(νήμης) χ(άριν), ‘for the sake of one’s memory.’ It is likely from the language that the dedicator was a Greek woman, probably a slave.