ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Published in conjunction with the exhibition
Memento: Remembering Roman Lives
Nicholson Museum, Sydney University Museums
26 October 2015 – ongoing
Exhibition curated by Candace Richards and Michael Turner.
Graphic design and app development by Candace Richards.
Object photography by Tim Harland, Dizzy View Photography (with the exceptions: NMR.1066,
NMR.1070, NMR.1091 by Rowan Conroy; NMR.1080, NMR.1087, NMR.1116 by Sydney University
Museums).
Published by Sydney University Museums, 2016.
1
About the exhibition The intention of the exhibition Memento: Remembering Roman Lives is exactly that—to remember the people named on these funeral inscriptions. The memorials name sailors from Egypt, Dalmatia and Thrace serving in the Imperial Fleet based at Misenum on the Bay of Naples and their wives; a slave from the Imperial household in Rome; a wrestler from Amastris on the Black Sea; freedmen, freedwomen and their patrons; husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, as well as foster children (their age at death given with precision down to the last hour). Their stories can only be guessed at. In 1857 and again in 1858, Sir Charles Nicholson, Chancellor of the University of Sydney, travelled to Italy where he bought nearly seven hundred Greek, Roman, South Italian and Etruscan antiquities. On his return in 1859, these, along with the four hundred artefacts he had acquired in Egypt, were donated to the University to become the genesis of what is now the Nicholson Museum collection. Among the objects acquired in Italy were 68 Roman marble funerary inscriptions. Of these, 14 come from Rome and 36 from the Bay of Naples. The reliefs were set up in a variety of places: the outside walls of tombs, alongside roads, in columbaria and in Christian catacombs. They all date from between the 1st and 5th centuries AD, a period that saw a change in Roman funerary practice from cremation to inhumation with the coming of Christianity. Five of the inscriptions are Christian, often indicated at the end by the phrase In Pace, while the rest are pagan, introduced with the letters D M, short for Dis Manibus which translates as To the guardian spirits of the Underworld.
2
Common Latin words and phrases
Funerary invocations
D M
an abbreviation for DIS MANIBUS
To the guardian spirits of the
Underworld.
NOTE: There is no easy translation of these two
formulaic words that appear at the top of nearly all
non-Christian Roman funerary monuments. The Di
Manes were the spirits of the underworld, whether
deceased or protective is uncertain, although their
intent was clear.
IN PACE In Peace i.e. may the deceased rest in peace
B M F
an abbreviation for BENE MERENTI FECIT
'x' made this for the well deserving
(deceased person)
3
Common Latin words and phrases
Funerary invocations
D M
an abbreviation for DIS MANIBUS
To the guardian spirits of the
Underworld.
NOTE: There is no easy translation of these two
formulaic words that appear at the top of nearly all
non-Christian Roman funerary monuments. The Di
Manes were the spirits of the underworld, whether
deceased or protective is uncertain, although their
intent was clear.
IN PACE In Peace i.e. may the deceased rest in peace
B M F
an abbreviation for BENE MERENTI FECIT
'x' made this for the well deserving
(deceased person)
Relationships
PATER a father MATER a mother
PARENS a parent CONIUNX a husband or wife
FILIUS a son FILIA a daughter
ALUMNUS/A a foster son or daughter FRATER a brother
PRIMIGENUS/A the first born (child) HERES an heir or heiress
POSTERUS/A a descendent PATRONUS/A a patron (i.e. slave owner)
LIBERTUS/A a freedman or woman (i.e. an ex slave) ANCILLUS/A a slave
NATUS/A a native of, born in
Emotions
INNOCENTISSIMUS/A the most innocent
DULCISSIMUS/A the sweetest
PIENTISSIMUS/A the most dutiful or righteous
CARISSIMUS/A the dearest
AMATUS/A beloved
CUPITUS/A beloved
4
Time
ANNUS a year
MENSIS a month
DIES a day
KALENDAE the first day of the month
IDUS the 15th day of the months March, May, July and October or the 13th day of the other months
VIXIT he or she lived (for X years, months, days)
The Military
MILES a soldier or sailor on a naval ship
MILITAVIT he served as a soldier/sailor (for X years)
MANIPULARIS a sailor
III a trireme
IIII a quadrireme
LIBURNA a small fast ship
5
Funerary Inscriptions
6
D[IS] M[ANIBUS]
PERELIAE TYCHE
P[UBLIUS] ANTEIEVS QUADREIUS
MATRI A[MATAE] M[ERENTI] F[ECIT]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD FOR
PERELIA TYCHE
PUBLIUS ANTEIUS QUADREIUS
HAS MADE THIS FOR HIS BELOVED AND
WELL DESERVING MOTHER
Roman funerary urn for a woman named Perelia Tyche.
1st - 4th century AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1013
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
7
D[IS] M[ANIBUS] P[UBLIO]
AEL[IO] CLERVCHO
AUG[USTI] LIB[ERTO] FL[AVIA] R[H]ODO PE
CONIUGI BENE
MERENTI FECIT
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR PUBLIUS AELIUS CLERUCHUS
A FREEDMAN OF THE EMPEROR
FLAVIA RHODOPE MADE THIS FOR HER WELL
DESERVING HUSBAND
Roman funerary urn for a man named Publius Aelius Cleruchus.
2nd century AD
Found at San Vito, Palestrina (ancient Praeneste), Italy.
NMR.1015
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
8
DIIS MANIBUS
Q[UINTI] MVCI
PRIMIGENI
TO THE SPIRITS OF THE UNDERWORLD
FOR QUINTUS MUCUS
THE FIRST BORNRoman funerary urn for a boy named Quintus Marcus.
2nd - 4th century AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1016
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
9
DIS MANIB[US]
LVCCELAE TYCHE
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR LUCELLA TYCHERoman funerary monument for a named woman Lucella Tyche.
1st to 4th century AD
Found at Pozzuoli (anceint Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1063
Formerly in the collections of Barone at Naples.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58
10
CAELIA ASELLA INNOCENT[ISSIMA]
QVE VIXIT ANN[IS] XII M[ENSIBVS]
DEPOSITA VII [DIE ANTE] K[A]L[ENDAS]
SETTEM[BRIAS]
IN PACE
[THIS IS] CAELIA ASELLA,
THE MOST INNOCENT OF GIRLS, WHO LIVED
FOR 12 YEARS AND (?) MONTHS. LAID TO
REST 7 DAYS BEFORE THE CALENDS OF
SEPTEMBER [IE. 25 AUGUST]
[REST] IN PEACE
Roman funerary monument for a girl named Caelia Asella
Late 4th century to 5th century
Found on the Via Latina, Rome.
NMR.1064
Formerly in the collection of Giambattista Guidi.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
11
DESCISSIT
LEO VX KAL[ENDAS] IVL[IAS] D
IE BE[NE]RIS ANNORUM
XXSII
[HERE LIES] LEO
[WHO] DEPARTED [THIS LIFE] ON THE DAY
OF VENUS [FRIDAY],
15 DAYS BEFORE THE CALENDS OF JULY [IE.
17 JUNE]
AGED 27
Roman funerary monument for a man named Leo.
1st to 4th century AD
Found in the Molinari vineyard on the Via Appia, Rome.
NMR.1065
Formerly in the collection of Giambattista Guidi.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
12
DEPOSSIO HILARES QV[A]E
VIXIT ANNVS VII M[ENSE] VNO D[IEBUS]
XIII DEPOSITA DIAE VII IDVS
(SE)PT[EMBRES] RICOMEDE ET CLYARC[H]O
CONS[ULIBUS]
HERE LIES HILARA WHO
LIVED 7 YEARS 1 MONTH 13 DAYS
LAID TO REST ON THE 7TH DAY BEFORE
THE IDES OF SEPTEMBER
[IE. 7 SEPTEMBER]
RICOMEDES AND CLEARCHUS WERE
CONSULS [IE. 384 AD]
Roman funerary monument for a girl named Hilara.
384 AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1066
Formerly in the collection of Giambattista Guidi.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
13
EYFROSYNETI
CO[N]IUGI DULCISSIMAE
Q[UAE] V[IXIT] ANN[IS] XXVII M[ENSIBVS] III
D[IEBVS] XIII H[IC] DEP[OSITA]
DIE V [ANTE] KAL[ENDAS]
IANVARIAS
FOR EUFROSYNE
THE SWEETEST OF WIVES
WHO LIVED FOR 27 YEARS 3 MONTHS
13 DAYS. LAID TO REST 5 DAYS BEFORE THE
CALENDS
OF JANUARY [IE. 27 DECEMBER]
Roman funerary monument for a woman named Eufrosyne.
4th century AD
Said to be from a Hypogaea (underground Christian tomb) in Rome.
NMR.1067
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
14
PRIMIO
PUBLICUS V[IXIT] A[NNIS] VIIII
MENS[IBVS] III
FOR PRIMIUS
WHO LIVED FOR 9 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS
PUBLICUS [MADE THIS]Roman funerary monument for a boy named Primius.
1st to 4th century AD
Found at Cumae, Italy.
NMR.1068
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
15
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
L[UCIO] AELIO HETAERO ET
AELIAE CAPITOLINAE
PATRONIS
AELIA CHRYSOTHOE
LIBERTA. B[ENE] M[ERENTIBVS] F[ECIT]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR LUCIUS AELIUS HETAERUS AND
AELIA CAPITOLINA
HER WELL DESERVING PATRONS,
AELIA CHRYSOTHOE
A FREEDWOMAN MADE THIS
Roman funerary monument for a man named Lucius Aelius and his wife
Aelia Capitolina.
150-200 AD
Found at Cumae, Italy.
NMR.1069
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
16
DIS MANIB[US]
EVHEMERIAE
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR EUHEMERIARoman funerary monument for a woman named Euhemeria.
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1070
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
17
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
S[E]NTIAE SERAPIADIS
VIXIT ANNIS XVII C[AIUS]
SENTIUS MAXIMVS MA
NI[P]ULAR[IS] III MARTE
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR SENTIA SERAPIAS
WHO LIVED 17 YEARS
[HER HUSBAND] GAIUS SENTIUS MAXIMUS
A SAILOR ON THE TRIREME MARS
[MADE THIS]
Roman funerary monument for a woman named Sentia Serapias
250-300 AD
Found near Pozzuoli (ancient Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1071
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
18
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
A[VLVS] FRAVCIVS CARPVS SIBI
ET FRAVCIAE CYRILIAE
CONIVGI
LIBERTIS LIBERTABVSQ[VE]
POSTERISQ[VE]
EORVM
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
AULUS FRAUCIUS CARPUS [SET THIS UP]
FOR HIMSELF
AND FOR FRAUCIA CYRILIA HIS WIFE
AND FOR HIS FREEDMEN AND FREEDWOMEN
AND FOR THEIR DESCENDANTS
Roman funerary monument for a man named Aulus Fraucius Carpus and
his wife Fraucia Cyrilia.
150-200 AD
Found on the Via Campana, Pozzouli (ancient Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1072
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
19
D[IS] M[ANIBVS] S[ACRVM]
Q[VINTUS] MARIVS BASSVS ET MARCIA
AELIANA SE VIVOS FECERUNT SIBI
POSTERISQUE EORVM
SACRED TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
QUINTUS MARIUS BASSUS AND
MARCIA AELIANA STILL LIVING
MADE THIS FOR THEMSELVES
AND FOR THEIR DESCENDANTS
Roman funerary monument for a man named Quintus Marius Bassus and
his wife Marcia Aeliana.
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1073
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
20
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
M[ARCO] VALERIO HY MNO VALERIA
M[ARCI] F[ILIA] SABINA PA[T]RI
PIENTISSIMO
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR MARCUS VALERIUS HYMNUS,
VALERIA SABINA THE DAUGHTER OF
MARCUS [MADE THIS]
FOR HER MOST AFFECTIONATE FATHER
Roman funerary monument for a man named Marcus Valerius Hymnus.
200-250 AD
Found on the Via Campana, Pozzouli (ancient Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1074
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
21
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
IVNIAE THEODOTE
P[UBLIUS] RVFINVS SERENVS
CO[N]IVGI SVAE FECIT
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR HIS WIFE JUNIA THEODOTE
PUBLIUS RUFINUS SERENUS MADE THIS
Roman funerary monument for a woman named Junia Theodote.
3rd century AD
Found at Pendio Sant'Elmo, Pozzouli (ancient Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1076
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
22
D[IS] M[ANIBUS]
IULIVS ALEXANDE[R]
PR[INCIPALIS?]
HIC POSITVS
EST III [DIE ANTE] KAL[ENDAS] IVN[IAS]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
JULIUS ALEXANDER
A SAILOR(?)
SET UP THIS STONE
THREE DAYS BEFORE THE CALENDS OF JUNE
[IE. 29 MAY]
Roman funerary monument for a man named Julius Alexander
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1077
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
23
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
HERMES ET
LAVDICIA PARENTES CARIS
SIMI FECERVNT
LAUDICIAE FILIAE
SVAE DVLCISSIMAE
Q[VAE] V[IXIT] A[NNIS] V M[ENSIBVS] VI
D[IEBVS] II
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
HERMES AND LAUDICIA
[HER] MOST LOVING PARENTS MADE THIS
FOR LAUDICIA
THEIR SWEETEST DAUGHTER
WHO LIVED 5 YEARS 6 MONTHS 2 DAYS
Roman funerary monument for a girl named Laudicia.
125-175 AD
Unknown provenance
NMR.1078
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
24
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
FLAVIAE MAXIMIL
LAE VIX[IT] AN[NIS] XIX
VALERIVS VALENS
CONIVGI M[ERENTI] F[ECIT]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR FLAVIA MAXIMILLA
WHO LIVED 19 YEARS VALERIUS VALENS
MADE THIS FOR HIS DESERVING WIFE
Roman funerary monument for a woman named Flavia Maximilla.
1st to 4th century AD
Found at Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1079
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
25
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
C[AIO] RVTILIO RVFO
VIXIT ANNIS XIIII
MENS[IBVS] III DIEB[VS] XII
C[AIVS] RVTILIVS RVFVS
PATER FILIO FECIT
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR GAIUS RUTILIUS RUFUS
WHO LIVED 14 YEARS
3 MONTHS 12 DAYS
GAIUS RUTILIUS RUFUS
HIS FATHER MADE THIS FOR HIS SON
Roman funerary monument for a boy named Gaius Rutilius Rufus.
275-325 AD
Found at Baia (ancient Baiae), Italy.
NMR.1080
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
26
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
M[ARCVS] LOLLIVS PRIMITIVS
NAT[VS] ITALICVS VIXIT A[NNIS]
XXXV MILIT[AVIT] A[NNIS] VII D[IEBVS] X
VALERIA PRIMILIA
CO[N]IVGI B[ENE] M[ERENTI] F[ECIT]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
MARCUS LOLLIUS PRIMITIUS
A NATIVE ITALIAN WHO LIVED
35 YEARS AND SERVED AS A SAILOR
FOR 7 YEARS 10 DAYS
VALERIA PRIMILIA MADE THIS
FOR HER WELL DESERVING HUSBAND
Roman funerary monument for a man named Marcus Lollius Primitius.
1st to 4th century AD
Found at Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1081
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
27
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
MARGARI
DI CONIV
GI MEREN
TI C[AIUS] IVL[IVS]
HERMEROS
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR MARGARIS
HIS DESERVING WIFE,
GAIUS JULIUS
HERMEROS [MADE THIS]
Roman funerary monument for a woman named Margaris.
150-200 AD
Found on the Via Campana, Pozzouli (ancient Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1082
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
28
D[IS] M[ANIBVS] C[AIUO]
IVLI[O] PETRONIANI EX
LIB[URNA] ARMATA
NAT[O] AEGYPT[O] VIX[IT] AN[NIS]
XLV MIL[ITAVIT] AN[NIS] XXII
C[AIUS] LONGINVS CLEMENS III
FORTVNA H[ERES] B[ENE] M[ERENTI] F[ECIT]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR GAIUS JULIUS PETRONIANUS
OF THE LIBURNA ‘ARMATA’
A NATIVE OF EGYPT WHO LIVED
45 YEARS AND SERVED FOR 22 YEARS
HIS HEIR GAIUS LONGINUS CLEMENS
OF THE TRIREME FORTUNA
MADE THIS FOR HIM WELL DESERVING
Roman funerary monument for a man named Gaius Julius Petronianus.
1st to 4th century AD
Found near Pozzouli (ancient Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1083
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
29
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
C[AIO] IVLIO RESO MANIP[VLARI]
EX III FIDE NAT[O] BESS[I]
BIXIT AN[NIS] LV MILIT[AVIT] AN[NIS] XII
M[ARCVS] RUFINVS AVCTVS
HERES B[ENE] M[ERTENTI] F[ECIT]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR GAIUS JULIUS RESUS
A SAILOR ON THE TRIREME ‘FIDES’
A NATIVE OF THE BESSI [A THRACIAN]
WHO LIVED 55 YEARS
AND SERVED 12 YEARS
MARCUS RUFINUS AUCTUS
HIS HEIR MADE THIS FOR HIM
WELL DESERVING
Roman funerary monument for a man named Gaius Julius Resus.
1st to 4th century AD
Provenance unknown.
NMR.1084
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
30
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
M[ARCVS] QVINCTIVS C[AIUS?] F[ECIT]
[SIBI?] ET
FLAVIAE VRBANAE
ET
LIB[ERTI]S ET LIBERTABVSQ[VE]
SVIS
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
MARCUS QUINCTIUS GAIUS MADE THIS
[FOR HIMSELF?] AND
FOR FLAVIA URBANA
AND
FOR HIS FREEDMEN AND FREEDWOMEN
Roman funeary monument for a man named Marcus Quinctius Gauis, his
wife Flavia Urbana and their unnamed freedmen and women.
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance
NMR.1085
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
31
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
IVLIAE EUTYCHI
DI ANN[IS] XVII
IVLIVS IVLIANVS
PATRONVS ET VLPIVS
ARPOCRATION
CONIVGI B[ENE] M[ERENTI] F[ECIT]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR JULIA EUTYCHIS
[WHO LIVED] 17 YEARS
JULIUS JULIANUS
HER PATRON AND ULPIUS
ARPOCRATION
MADE THIS FOR HIS WELL DESERVING WIFE
Roman funerary monument for a woman named Julia Eutychis.
1st to 4th century AD
Found at Pozzouli (ancient Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1086
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
32
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
A[VLIO] TERENTIO AVGV
RINO QVI VIXIT
ANN[IS] XVII M[ENSIBVS] VIII
AVGVR FRATRI
RARISSIMO
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR AULUS TERENTIUS AUGURINUS
WHO LIVED 17 YEARS 8 MONTHS
AUGUR [MADE THIS]
FOR HIS MOST WONDERFUL BROTHER
Roman funerary monument for a man named Aulus Terentius Augrinus.
150-250 AD
Found on the Via Campana, Pozzouli (ancient Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1087
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
33
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
PLVTIALAE
PROCVLAE
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR PLUTIALA
PROCULARoman funerary monument for a woman named Plutiala Procula.
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1088
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
34
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
L[UCIVS] TREB[IVS] ATEMIDORVS
SIBI ET IVL[IAE] EPHESIAE
SVAE CONIVGI
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
LUCIUS TREBIUS ATEMIDORUS
[MADE THIS] FOR HIMSELF
AND FOR JULIA EPHESIA HIS WIFE
Roman funerary monument for a man named Lucius Trebius Atemidorus.
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance
NMR.1089
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
35
[ENTHADE KEI]MAI
ZESA[S EN THNETOISI] KYKLOUS PI
SYRO[N LYK]ABANTON
KAI MENES HIER[E]S HEX EPI
TOISI KYKLOUS
ALL ETI NEPIACHON ME TYCHE
KATETHEKATO METER
TOID ENI LAINEOI TUMBOI ME
GA PENTHOS ECHOUSA
HERE I LIE
HAVING LIVED AMONG MEN DURING THE
CYCLES OF FOUR YEARS
AND IN ADDITION TO THEM SIX
CYCLES OF THE HOLY MOON
BUT WHILE I WAS STILL A CHILD
MY MOTHER TYCHE LAID ME
IN THIS STONE TOMB
SUFFERING GREAT GRIEF
Roman funerary monument for the unnamed son of Tyche
1st to 4th century AD
Found on the Via Latina, near Rome, Italy.
NMR.1090
Formerly in the collection of Giambattista Guidi.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
36
TH[EOIS] K[ATACHTHONIOIS]
PHELIKI PAIDI GLUKUTATO[I]
THREPSAS M[NEIAS] CH[ARIN]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR FELIX
THE SWEETEST CHILD
HIS NURSE [MADE THIS]
FOR THE SAKE OF HIS MEMORY
*The (theta) at the beginning of the last line, its roots
in the word thanatos, has probably been added at a later
date to signify that felix is now dead.
Roman funerary monument for a boy named Felix.
Written in Ancient Greek.
1st to 4th century AD
Found by the Tor Marancio in Rome, Italy.
NMR.1091
Formerly in the collection of Giambattista Guidi.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
37
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
SETONIAE OMFALE
PIENTISSIMAE F[ILIAE]
BENE MERENTI
ENCOLPVS
PATER F[ECIT]
VIXIT
ANNIS VXI MENSIBVS XI
DIEBVS V
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR SETONIA OMFALE
HIS MOST AFFECTIONATE
AND WELL DESERVING DAUGHTER,
ENCOLPUS
HER FATHER MADE THIS
SHE LIVED
16 YEARS 11 MONTHS
5 DAYS
Roman funerary stele for a girl named Setonia Omfale.
1st to 4th century AD
Provenance unknown.
NMR.1092
Formerly in the collection of Giambattista Guidi.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
38
D[IS] M[ANIBUS]
GELLIAE IADI
VIXIT ANNIS XXVI
GELLIVS CRESCE[N]S
LIBERTAE BENE
MERENTI FECIT
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR GELLIA IAS
WHO LIVED 26 YEARS,
GELLIUS CRESCENS
MADE THIS
FOR HIS WELL DESERVING FREED-WOMAN
Roman funerary monument for a woman named Gellia Ias.
2nd to 3rd centuries AD
Found at Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1093
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
39
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
PRIMI VIX[IT] A[NNIS] XI
PHLEGON ET FELIX
B[ENE] M[ERENTI] F[ECERVNT]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR PRIMUS WHO LIVED 11 YEARS
PHLEGON AND FELIX
MADE THIS FOR THE WELL DESERVING
[CHILD]
Roman funerary monument for a boy named Primus.
1st to 4th century AD
Found near on the Via Domitiana near Pozzouli (ancient Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1094
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
40
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
M[ARCO] CAECILIO PRIMIONI
ET AIVTRICI COIVGI VIV[I]S
F[ACIENDUM] C[URAVERVNT]
CAECILIA TRIPHONA
FRATRI PRO PIAETATI
CONSACRATV
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR MARCUS CAECILIUS PRIMION
AND FOR HIS WIFE AIUTRIX. IN THEIR
LIFETIME
CAECILIA TRIPHONA
OUT OF AFFECTION FOR HER BROTHER
HAD THIS MADE
Roman funerary monument for a man named Marcus Caecilius Primion
and his wife Aiutrix.
1st to 4th century AD
Found on the Via Campana near Pozzouli (ancient Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1095
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
41
CINERIBVS
ALEXANDRI
FOR THE ASHES
OF ALEXANDERRoman funerary monument for a man named Alexander.
1st to 4th century AD
Found in the Villa of the Quintili, Italy.
NMR.1096
Formerly in the collection of Giambattista Guidi.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
42
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
M[ARCO] MARIO CEL
SO MAN[IPULARI EX] III ATHE NONICE
NAT[O] BESS[I]
VIX[IT] ANN[IS] XLV MIL[ITAVIT] ANN[IS]
XXVII L[VCIVS] VAL
EPIVS BVCCI
MEREN[TI] FECIT
TO THE SPIRITS OF THE UNDERWORLD
FOR MARCUS MARIUS CELSUS
A SAILOR ON THE TRIREME ATHENONICE
A NATIVE OF THE BESSI (A THRACIAN)
WHO LIVED 45 YEARS AND SERVED
27 YEARS
LUCIUS VALERIUS BUCCI
MADE THIS [FOR HIM] DESERVEDLY
Roman funearary monument for a man named Marcus Marius Celsus.
1st to 4th century AD
Found at Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1097
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
43
D[IS] M[ANIBUS] HERMETI
VERNAE VIXIT AN
NIS XVIIII VALERIVS
CLEME[N]S ARMOR
VM CVSTOS III
MERCVRI B[ENE] M[ERENTI] F[ECIT]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR HERMES
A SLAVE WHO LIVED 19 YEARS
VALERIUS CLEMENS KEEPER OF ARMS
ON THE TRIREME MERCURY
MADE THIS [FOR HIM BEING]
WELL-DESERVING
Roman funerary monument for a man named Hermes.
2nd to 4th century AD
Found near Naples, Italy.
NMR.1098
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
44
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
ANICIO
HERMETI ET
POMPEIAE CY
THERIDI
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR ANICIUS HERMES AND
POMPEIA CYTHERIDES
Roman funerary monument for a man named Anicius Hermes and a
woman named Pompeia Cytherides.
1st to 4th century AD.
Found at Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1099
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
45
D[IS] M[ANIBVS] ARIO ROM
MANO VIX[IT] AN[NOS] I M[ENSES] VI
ARRIVS FRONTINVS
FILIO PIENTISSIMO
FECIT
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR ARRIUS ROMANUS
WHO LIVED 1 YEAR 6 MONTHS
[HIS FATHER] ARRIUS FRONTINUS
MADE THIS
FOR [HIS] MOST RIGHTEOUS SON
Roman funerary monument for a baby boy named Arrius Romanus.
1st to 4th century AD
Found at Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1100
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
46
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
HERBULAE PROTIAE
VIXIT ANN[IS] XXI M[ENSIBVS] V
PATER
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR HERBULA PROTIA
WHO LIVED 21 YEARS 5 MONTHS
[HER] FATHER [MADE THIS]
Roman funerary monument for a woman named Herbula Protia.
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1101
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
47
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
AELI[VS] AGRIPPA
BERIOLAE QVAE VI[XIT]
ANN[IS] XVII BENE
M[ERENTI] F[ECIT]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
AELIUS AGRIPPA
MADE THIS FOR BERIOLA
WHO LIVED 17 YEARS AND WAS WELL
DESERVING
Roman funerary monument for a woman named Beriola.
1st to 4th century AD
Found at Baia (ancient Baiae), Italy.
NMR.1102
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
48
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
M[ARCVS] IVNIVS ...
ENTINVS ET IVN[IA]
FELICITAS FECERV[NT]
IVNIAE SECVNDAE
PATRONAE BENE
(MERE)NTI ET SIBI
(POSTER)ISQV[E]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
MARCUS JUNIUS (FLOR)ENTINUS
AND JUNIA
FELICITAS MADE THIS
FOR JUNIA SECUNDA
THEIR WELL DESERVING PATRON
AND FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR
DESCENDENTS
Roman funerary monument for a woman named Junia Secunda.
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1103
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
49
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
A[VLVS] AMMONIVS
VIX[I]T AN[NIS] XXV
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
AULUS AMMONIUS
WHO LIVED 25 YEARSRoman funerary monument for a man named Aulus Ammonius
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance
NMR.1104
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
50
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
DOMITIVS HERACLIA
NVS DOMITI HERACLIA
NI FIL[IO] VIXIT ANNO I M[ENSIBVS] II
B[ENE] M[ERENTI] FECIT
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
DOMITIUS HERACLIANUS MADE THIS
FOR HIS SON DOMTIUS HERACLIANUS
WHO LIVED FOR 1 YEAR 2 MONTHS
[AND WAS] WELL DESERVING
Roman funerary monument for a baby boy named
Domitus Heraclianus.
1st to 4th century AD
Found at Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1105
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
51
D[IS] (M)[ANIBVS]
ASCLEPIOD... ERM
ODORI FILIAE NICOME
DESSE VIX[IT] AN[NIS] XXX
FRAT ER BENE M[ERENTI] F[ECIT]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR ASCLEPIOD(?)
THE DAUGHTER OF ERMIDORUS FROM
NICOMEDIA(?)
WHO LIVED 30 YEARS
HER BROTHER MADE THIS [FOR HER BEING]
WELL DESERVING
Roman funerary monument for a woman named Asclepiod...
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1106
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
52
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
VRSENAE CRIS
TE VIX[IT] ANN[IS]
XXVII AELIVS
APOLLONIDES
B[ENE] M[ERENTI] F[ECIT]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR URSENA CRESTE
WHO LIVED 27 YEARS
AELIUS APOLLONIDES
MADE THIS [FOR HER
BEING] WELL DESERVING
Roman funerary monument for a woman named Ursena Creste
175-225 AD
Found near Pozzouli (ancient Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1107
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
53
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
PHLEGOSTENI
FILIAE B[ENE] M[ERENTI]
FECIT
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR PHLEGOSTE
A WELL DESERVING DAUGHTER
THIS WAS MADE
Roman funerary monument for a girl named Phlegoste.
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1108
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
54
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
A[ULO] TERENTIO ET
M[ARCO] L[UCIO] FLAVIANI
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR AULUS TERENTIUS AND
MARCUS LUCIUS FLAVIANUS
Roman funerary monument for two men named Aulus Terentius and
Marcus Lucis Flavianus.
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1109
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
55
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
VITELLIAE FELICITATI
VIXIT ANN[IS] VIII M[EN]S[IBVS] V
VITELLIA HELPIS FILIAE
B[ENE] M[ERENTI] F[ECIT]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR VITELLIA FELICITAS
WHO LIVED 8 YEARS 5 MONTHS
VITELLIA HELPIS MADE THIS
FOR HER WELL DESERVING DAUGHTER
Roman funerary monument for a girl named Vitellia Felicitas
300-400 AD.
Found at Pozzouli (ancient Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1110
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
56
EPAPHRODIUS
ONESIMO FRATR[I]
VIXIT ANN[IS] XXXV
EPAPHRODIUS
FOR HIS BROTHER ONESIMUS
WHO LIVED 35 YEARSRoman funerary monument for a man named Onesimus.
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1111
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
57
M OCT
EVS GEM
FOR MARCUS OCTAVIUS EUSEBIUS
GEMELLUSRoman funerary monument for a man named Marcus Octavius Eusebius
Gemellus.
1st to 4th century AD
Found on the Via Domitiana near Solfatara, Italy.
NMR.1112
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
58
LAELIA M[ARCI] F[ILIA]
PRISCILLA VIXIT
ANN[IS] XXIII
LAELIA PRISCILLA
THE DAUGHTER OF MARCUS
WHO LIVED 23 YEARSRoman funerary monument for a woman named Laelia Priscilla.
200-225 AD
Found in a tomb on the Via Cumana, Pozzouli (ancient Puteoli), Italy.
NMR.1113
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
59
HALEAE
AGRIPPINAE
ANCILLAE
VIXIT A[NNIS] XXV
FOR HALEA
AGRIPPINA
A SLAVE
WHO LIVED 25 YEARS
Roman funerary monument for a woman named Heleae Agrippinae.
1st to 4th century AD
Found at Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1115
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
60
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
Q[UINTO] AEMILIO TROPHI
MO VAL PRIMITIVA
CONIVGI BENE
MERENTI
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR QUINTUS AEMILIUS TROPHIMUS
VALERIA PRIMITIVA [MADE THIS]
FOR HER WELL DESERVING HUSBAND
Roman funerary monumet for a man named Quintus Aemilius Trophimus.
1st to 4th century AD
Unknown provenance.
NMR.1116
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
61
TI[BERIO] CLAUDIO A(UG)[USTI) (L)[IBERTO]
AMIANTHO S(T...)
VIXIT ANN[IS] XX(?)
EROS ET NATALIS FRA(TRES)
FRATRI FECERU(NT0)
FOR TIBERIUS CLAUDIUS AMIANTHUS
A FREEDMAN OF AUGUSTUS
[IE. THE CURRENT EMPEROR]
WHO LIVED 20(?) YEARS
THE BROTHERS EROS AND NATALIS
MADE THIS FOR THEIR BROTHER
Roman funerary monument for a man named Tiberius Claudius
Amianthus.
50 - 100 AD
Found near a monument in the Vigna Codini (columbarium), between the
Via Appia and the Via Latina near Rome, Italy.
NMR.1118
Excavated by J.P. Campana in 1840.
Acquired by Giambattista Guidi after 1840.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
62
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
FELICITATI ALVMNAE DVL
CISSIMAE QUAE VIX[IT] ANN[IS]
III MENS[IBVS] VII D[IEBVS] XXII HOR[IS] VIII
PROCESSVS ET DAPHNE
B[ENE] M[ERENTI] FECERVNT
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR THE FOSTER CHILD FELICITAS
THE SWEETEST GIRL WHO LIVED
3 YEARS 7 MONTHS 22 DAYS 8 HOURS
PROCESSUS AND DAPHNE
MADE THIS FOR THEIR WELL DESERVING
[FOSTER DAUGHTER]
Roman funerary monument for a girl named Felicitas.
1st to 4th century AD
From Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1120
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
63
DIOGENES
MARKOU AM[A]
STRIANOS PA
LAISTES EN
THADE KEIMAI
Z[ESAS] ET[E] LE CHERETE PARODEITAI
DIOGENES, SON OF MARCUS
A WRESTLER
FROM AMASTRIS
HERE I LIE
HAVING LIVED FOR 38 YEARS GREETINGS
PASSERS-BY
Roman funerary monument for a man named Diogenes.
Written in ancient Greek.
200-250 AD
From Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1121
Purchased by Sir Charles Nicholson in Naples, 1858.
64
D[IS] M[ANIBVS] S[ACRVM]
C[AIVS] IVLIVS PETRONIA
NVS VIX[IT] ANNO I
MENSIB[US] III PETRO
NIANVS P FILIO DVLCIS
SIMO H[OC] C[VRAVIT] F[ACIENDVM]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
GAIUS JULIUS PETRONIANUS
LIVED FOR 1 YEAR
3 MONTHS. HIS FATHER PETRONIANUS
HAD THIS STONE MADE FOR HIS MOST
SWEET SON
Roman funerary stele for a boy named Gaius Julius Petronuanus
1st to 4th century AD
From Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1122
Purchased by Sir Charles Nicholson in Naples, 1858.
65
D[IS] M[ANIBVS]
FELICITATI QVAE
VIXIT ANNIS V
MENSIBVS VII
DIEBVS XXI HOR[IS] III
BALERIA SPES FECIT
B[ENE] M[ERENTI] ALVMNAE
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR FELICITAS WHO
LIVED 5 YEARS
7 MONTHS
21 DAYS 3 HOURS
VALERIA SPES MADE THIS
FOR HER WELL DESERVING FOSTER-CHILD
Roman funerary monument for a girl named Felicitas.
1st to 4th century AD
From Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1123
Purchased by Sir Charles Nicholson in Naples, 1858.
66
M[ARCO] IVL[IO] APVLE
IVM QVEM ET
EVPORIVM QVI
VIXIT ANN[IS] XXVI M[ENSIBVS]
VAEL[IA] AVGVRINA MAT[ER]
FILIO DVLCISS[IMO] B[ENE] M[ERENTI]
F[ECIT]
FOR MARCUS JULIUS APULEIUS
ALSO KNOWN AS EUPORIUS WHO
LIVED 26 YEARS 5 MONTHS
[HIS] MOTHER VAELIA AUGURINA
MADE THIS FOR WELL DESERVING
SWEETEST OF SONS
Roman funerary monument for a man named Marcus Julius Apuleius.
1st to 4th century AD
From Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1124
Purchased by Sir Charles Nicholson in Naples, 1858.
67
DIS MANIBUS
C[AIO] GENTIO VALENTI MILITI
EX CLASSE PRAETORIA[NA] MISE
NENSE EX IIII MINER[VA] NATION[E]
DALM[ATICA] VIX[IT] ANN[IS] XL IN HIS
MIL[ITAVIT] ANN[IS]
XIX HEREDES BENE MERITO
TONATIUS SEVER[US] ET METTIUS
SEVE[RUS]
TO THE GUARDIAN SPIRITS OF THE
UNDERWORLD
FOR GAIUS GENTIUS VALENS A SAILOR IN
THE PRAETORIAN FLEET AT MISENUM ON
THE QUADRIREME ‘MINERVA’.
FROM DALMATIA HE LIVED 40 YEARS AND
SERVED ON THIS [SHIP] 19 YEARS.
WELL DESERVING HIS HEIRS
TONATIUS SEVERUS AND METTIUS SEVERUS
[MADE THIS]
Roman funerary monument for a man named Gaius Gentius Valens.
98-117 AD
From Miseno (ancient Misenum), Italy.
NMR.1125
Formerly in the collection of Giuseppe de Criscio.
Acquired by Sir Charles Nicholson in Italy, 1856-58.
68
Appendix: A statement from the curators. The aim of Memento: Remembering Roman Lives is to do exactly that, to remember the lives of the individuals named on the Nicholson Museum’s collection of 68 Roman funerary inscriptions.1 The inscriptions themselves date from the first to fourth centuries AD and record brief glimpses of the relationships, social status, occupations, gender, and ages of a disparate group of people from this period in history.
Two curatorial approaches to the stone inscriptions were necessary in order to achieve this goal.
Firstly, each inscription needed to be transliterated and translated in line with modern standards of Classical Latin and Classical Greek.2 Prior to this exhibition, the Roman inscriptions were last examined as part of the second edition of the Handbook of the Nicholson Museum, published in 1948.3 Since then there have been new ways of thinking about Latin in funerary contexts, which have been incorporated into the translations for this exhibition, as well as different interpretations or errors in the original publication corrected.4 These new translations are also reflective of the need to modernise elements of the language for the modern museum visitor, highlighting the emotional elements in each inscription to instill a personal and immediate connection between the visitor and the ancient person memorialised.
Secondly, a new way of providing access to the content and engaging audiences with the exhibition needed to be developed. To provide the visitor with the essential information for each object, including transliteration, translation and museum label information (name date, provenance, number, credit line) via traditional museum wall paneling was impractical due to the volume of textual information, the scale necessary for legibility, and the desire for direct engagement. To
1 The 68 inscriptions are counted as the complete set of inscriptions collected by Sir Charles Nicholson. This includes 66 physical stones, two of which have inscriptions on either side. Only 62 are represented in the catalogue as throughout the research process it was determined that one inscription was a fake and two others were too fragmentary to warrant inclusion. One further urn was not included as it was on display in the Nicholson Museum exhibition 50 Objects 50 stories and included in the exhibition catalogue, published 2012. Due to the physical limitations of the museum, only 51 of the inscriptions were installed in the final exhibition. 2 Three of the inscriptions are written in Classical Greek and the rest are in Latin. 3 A.D Trendall, 1948, Handbook to the Nicholson Museum. Second Edition. Sydney: The University of Sydney. Other publications include: NMR.1121 was published in R. De Vita, 2015, “Un Lottatore Di Amastri Sul Ponto in Campania” Epigraphica LXXVII, 1-2. pp.229-239. NMR.1091, NMR.1118 and NMR.1070 were published in Janette McWilliam, et.al. 2014, A Study in Stone. Brisbane: Rd Milns Museum, University of Queensland. pp. 33-36; NMR.1125 was published in M. Turner, 2012, 50 Objects 50 Stories: Extraordinary curiosities from the Nicholson Museum. Sydney: The University of Sydney. pp. 24-25; NMR.1098, NMR.1125, NMR.1081 and NMR.1071 Published in L.F. Fitzhardinge, 1951, 'Naval Epitaphs from Museum in the Nicholson Museum, Sydney’ Journal of Roman Studies Vol XLI. pp. 17-21; Complete collection were published in E. Reeve. 1870. Catalogue of the Museum of Antiquities of the Sydney University. Sydney: The University of Sydney. pp. 79-87. 4 One particular change between the 1948 publication and this exhibition is in the interpretation of inscription numbered NMR.1091 (p.37 of this catalogue). Examination of the lettering suggests that the ɵ ‘theta’ at the beginning of the last line of the inscription was not a part of the original inscription, rather it stands for the word thanatos, meaning death, which would have been added after the individual named became deceased.
69
resolve this issue an exhibition reflective kiosk was designed with touch screen accessibility.5 Each page of this catalogue represents an individual page within the kiosk. Navigation between these pages is provided in a visual representation of the exhibition, where users can simply touch on the exhibition section they are interested in and then touch on each individual stone to discover the translation. There is no curatorial narrative directing a visitor to engage with the inscriptions in any particular order. Rather each visitor curates their own experience, by engaging with as many inscriptions and stories as they wish in any order. This approach enables the visitor to develop a more personal connection with the ancient individual memorialised.
Memento: Remembering Roman Lives connects us to the lives of 107 husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, sons, daughters and foster children, naval officers, wrestlers, nurses, patrons, freedwomen, freedmen and slaves.
Michael Turner and Candace Richards
Further reading
Publications
Fitzhardinge, L.F. 1951, 'Naval Epitaphs from Museum in the Nicholson Museum, Sydney’ Journal of Roman Studies Vol XLI. pp. 17-21.
Manton, G.R. & L.F. Fitzhardinge, ‘Sepulchral Inscriptions’, in A.D. Trendall. 1948. Handbook to the Nicholson Museum. The University of Sydney. Pp. 423-451.
Marty, P. F. and K. Jones (eds). 2008. Museum Informatics: People, Information and Technology in Museums. New York: Routledge.
Richards, C. 2016. “Grave Secrets” MUSE Vol. 13. pp.28-30.
Tuck, S. 2005. “De Criscio Collection: History and Acquisition” Latin Inscriptions in the Kelsey Museum, The Dennison and De Criscio Collections. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press. pp. 4-7.
Online resources
Campbell, E. “Latin Funerary Inscriptions” Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum. http://archaeologicalmuseum.jhu.edu/the-collection/object-stories/latin-funerary-inscriptions
Sydney University Museums. Collections Search. http://sydney.edu.au/museums/collections_search/
5 A kiosk in the museum environment is a digital interface installed in the gallery which is primarily used to convey information to a visitor, usually about the museum or gallery itself, directional information such as floor maps, or exhibition content.
70