Roman Marble Gravestone Fragment Roman Marble Gravestone Fragment Roman Marble Gravestone Fragment Roman Marble Gravestone Fragment Roman Marble Gravestone Fragment
Roman Marble Gravestone Fragment
Roman Marble Gravestone Fragment
Roman Marble Gravestone Fragment
Roman Marble Gravestone Fragment
Roman Marble Gravestone Fragment

Roman Marble Gravestone Fragment

SKU: HQ.0019

Origin: Mediterranean
Circa: 2nd Century AD to 3rd Century AD
Dimensions: 8.8" Height x 6.5" Width (22.5 cm x 16.5 cm) 
Medium: Marble

The finely executed fragment is roughly rectangular in shape with a slight curvature to the left side. Parts of five lines of the Latin inscription are preserved.  Remains of the opening line "Dis Manibus," which literally means "to the Manes", or figuratively, "to the spirits of the dead," is a common inscription proceeding the name(s) of the deceased on Roman funerary markers and gravestone stele.  What remains of the following lines of Latin includes gratae (acceptable, agreeable, pleasing) , cit (place), and merenti (earning, deserved).

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English private collection acquired by the previous owner in Germany before 2000s.

Fine condition, surface wear and abrasions, broken on three sides as seen in photos.

Writing epitaphs was an important funerary practice in the Roman Empire. These inscriptions were meant to celebrate the life of the departed and could be elaborate, recording the name, age, profession, relatives, and other relevant information, to be passed down to posterity. Epitaphs were often dedicated to the spirits of the ancestors and identified the appropriate site to be honored during the festival of the Parentalia each February. On this occasion, Ancient Romans left sacred offerings near the resting place of their relatives in order to placate their spirits.

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