Inscriptions: Epitaph of the faber navalis Caecilius Niger

Identification

Reference as:	MPL02161
Title	Epitaph of the faber navalis Caecilius Niger
Trismegistos-No.	446951

Object

Provenance and Location

Find Place	Arelate
Find Context	Arles, rue de Vaux-Hall, 1886.
Latitude	0.0
Longitude	0.0
Current Location	Arles, Musée départemental Arles antique
Inventory number
Current Location Details	Lapidary depot.
Vicinity	[{"coords": [43.6776, 4.6308], "id": 2161, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2161", "long_id": "MPL02161", "place": "Arelate", "text": "[Caec]i\u0323[lio] N\u0323igro fa[br](o) [nav(ali)]. [Pr\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/stele-scaled.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of the faber navalis Caecilius Niger"}, {"coords": [43.6776, 4.6308], "id": 29, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/29", "long_id": "MPL00029", "place": "Arelate", "text": "Aeliae Aelia[nae.] Littera qui nosti, lege casum\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Ensemble-1.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription for Aelia Aeliana"}, {"coords": [43.8432, 4.35418], "id": 50, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/50", "long_id": "MPL00050", "place": "Nemausus", "text": "Hoc monimentum maesoleumque mo-nimentorum caus{s}a\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary monument of Hostilia"}, {"coords": [44.2404, 5.07335], "id": 806, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/806", "long_id": "MPL00806", "place": "Vasio Vocontiorum", "text": "Front \u03b5\u1f30\u03b8\u03c5\u03bd\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c1\u03b9 \u03c4\u1f7b\u03c7\u03b7\u03c2 \u0392\u1f75\u03bb\u1ff3 \u03a3\u1f73\u03be\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2 \u03b8\u1f73\u03c4\u03bf \u03b2\u03c9-\u03bc\u1f79\u03bd,\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db-edcs-eu.uaccess.univie.ac.at/epigr/bilder/$CIL_12_01277_1.jpg", "title": "Votive inscription by Sextus on an altar to Belus"}, {"coords": [44.7524, 5.37041], "id": 848, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/848", "long_id": "MPL00848", "place": "Dea Augusta Vocontiorum", "text": "[D(is) M(anibus)] G(ai) Iuli Ica[ri?] G(aius) Iuli\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Dea Augusta Vocontiorum \u2013 Die (Narbonensis) - HD018851"}, {"coords": [43.4413, 5.37884], "id": 955, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/955", "long_id": "MPL00955", "place": "Cabri\u00e8s", "text": "[\u2066 - - - - - - - - - - \u2069]lli[---] amisisse [dole?]\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Cabri\u00e8s (Narbonensis) - HD045453"}, {"coords": [43.1836, 3.0042], "id": 2063, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2063", "long_id": "MPL02063", "place": "Narbo Martius", "text": "Part A: C\u0323(aius) Of\u0323[illi]u\u0323s\u0323 C(ai) l(ibertus) \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$CIL_12_05026.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription by C. Ofillius to himself, his wife, and his son"}, {"coords": [43.1836, 3.0042], "id": 2064, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2064", "long_id": "MPL02064", "place": "Narbo Martius", "text": "[M]ortua cum fueris, fati quod lege necessest, Vst\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$CIL_12_05271.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription to unknown dedicatee"}, {"coords": [43.1836, 3.0042], "id": 2090, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2090", "long_id": "MPL02090", "place": "Narbo Martius", "text": "Tu, coniux miserande, duas quoi funere plagas Obt\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db-edcs-eu.uaccess.univie.ac.at/epigr/bilder/$ILGN_00579.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription by a husband to his wife"}, {"coords": [43.1836, 3.0042], "id": 2162, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2162", "long_id": "MPL02162", "place": "Narbo Martius", "text": "Hospitium tibi hoc. Invitus venio. Veniundum 5est \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/N149.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription with a dialogue from Narbonne"}, {"coords": [43.1836, 3.0042], "id": 2164, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2164", "long_id": "MPL02164", "place": "Narbo Martius", "text": "Nec iussa testamento neque voce rogata, sed pia 5p\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/N135.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription from Narbo Martius"}, {"coords": [43.1836, 3.0042], "id": 2166, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2166", "long_id": "MPL02166", "place": "Narbo Martius", "text": "[Sic] tibi praeterito redeat felicior annus [sem]p\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription from Narbo Martius"}, {"coords": [43.1836, 3.0042], "id": 2167, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2167", "long_id": "MPL02167", "place": "Narbo Martius", "text": "------ usta igni f\u0323idissumus atro corpora quae ra\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/N136.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of unknown children by their parents"}, {"coords": [43.1836, 3.0042], "id": 2171, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2171", "long_id": "MPL02171", "place": "Narbo Martius", "text": "L(uci) Octavi Silvan\u0361e, bene\u0323 quiescas. Mater \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/N145.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of Lucius Octavius Silvanus by his mother"}, {"coords": [45.5242, 4.87325], "id": 2093, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2093", "long_id": "MPL02093", "place": "Vienna", "text": "((palma)) ((columba)) ((chi-rho)) ((columba)) ((pa\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$RICG_15_00039.jpg", "title": "Christian funerary inscription for Foedula"}, {"coords": [44.1368, 4.80792], "id": 2074, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2074", "long_id": "MPL02074", "place": "Arausio", "text": "Amo te.", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Fibula with love dedication from Arausio"}, {"coords": [43.8766, 5.39368], "id": 2083, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2083", "long_id": "MPL02083", "place": "Apta Iulia", "text": "[Dis in]fernis memoriaeq(ue) semper habendae H[ipp\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db-edcs-eu.uaccess.univie.ac.at/epigr/bilder/$ILN-04_00032_1.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription to Hippodamia by her husband"}, {"coords": [43.5262, 5.44541], "id": 2160, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2160", "long_id": "MPL02160", "place": "Aquae Sextiae", "text": "Front: Paulo siste gradum, iuven\u0361is pie, quaeso\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$ILN-03_00041_1.jpg", "title": "Altar with epitaph of Sextus Iulius Felicissimus"}, {"coords": [45.5326, 4.86261], "id": 2163, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2163", "long_id": "MPL02163", "place": "Saint-Romain-en-Gal", "text": "Aetherius moriens dixit: \"Hic condite corpus, terr\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph of Aetherius"}]

Object Details

Object Type	slab
Material	marble
State of Preservation	fragmentary (adjoining fragments)
Dimensions	width: 52.0 cm height: 74.0 cm depth: 38.0 cm
Letter Size in cm (min)	2.5
Letter Size in cm (max)	4.0
Execution Technique	chiselled
Religion	Pagan

Decoration

Decoration and Iconography
Decoration Tags

Verse Layouts

Prose Verse Presence	Praescriptum + carmen
Prose Verse Distinction	Yes, by bigger lettering in prose
Scriptio Continua in verse part	no
Abbreviations in verse part	no
Graphic Signs and Spaces for Easier Carmen Reading	To separate words - Interpunction

Text

Function	funerary inscription
Language(s)	Latin
Verse Type(s)	Elegiac couplet
Rhythmisation	Quantitative scheme

Inscription & Translations

Diplomatic Interpretative Verse Visualisation

[][]IGROFA[]

[]IENSQ[]ICVMQVELEGESH[]
[]ETIBIDEFVNCTINOM[]NAVE[]
[]ELEGOSVENIAMPONEV[]
5PERLGEREETDICASCARM[]
[]ECILIVSNIGERESTHICILLES[]
QVOCERNISTITVLVMSTAR[]
VNCTIBINAVALESPAVCIDA[]
HOCETDEVNCTOCOOR[]
10[]IOPTAMVSDVLC[]
SITQVELEVISMEMBRIS[]
[]CIARTIFICESNIGRODAMV[]
CARMINAQVAECLAVDITIA[]

[Caec]ị[lio] Ṇigro fa[br](o) [nav(ali)].

[Praete]ṛiens q[u]icumque leges h[aec carmina nostra],
[qua]e tibi defuncti nom[i]na veṛ[a dabunt],
[Incomptos] elegos veniam pẹṭo ne v[erearis]
5perlẹgere, et dicas carmẹ[n habere bene].
[C]ạecilius Niger est hic ille s[epultus eundem],
quo cernis titulum, star[e habet ecce locum].
Ṇunc tibi navales pauci daṃ[us ultima vota],
hoc et def̣uncto coṛp̣orẹ [munus habe].
10Ọṣṣạ [tuis urn]iṣ optamus dulc[e quiescant]
sitque leuis membris [terra molesta tuis].
Ạṛ[tifi]ci artifices Nigro damu[s ista sodali]
carmina quae claudit iaṃ [resoluta salus].

[Caec]ị[lio] Ṇigro fa[br](o) [nav(ali)].

[Praete]ṛiens q[u]icumque leges h[aec carmina nostra],
[qua]e tibi defuncti nom[i]na veṛ[a dabunt],
[Incomptos] elegos veniam pẹṭo ne v[erearis]
perlẹgere, et dicas carmẹ[n habere bene].
[C]ạecilius Niger est hic ille s[epultus eundem],
quo cernis titulum, star[e habet ecce locum].
Ṇunc tibi navales pauci daṃ[us ultima vota],
hoc et def̣uncto coṛp̣orẹ [munus habe].
Ọṣṣạ [tuis urn]iṣ optamus dulc[e quiescant]
sitque leuis membris [terra molesta tuis].
Ạṛ[tifi]ci artifices Nigro damu[s ista sodali]
carmina quae claudit iaṃ [resoluta salus].

Apparatus

Text follows ILGN. Picture checked by Spalla 2025.
l. 2: e[t carmina nosces], CIL .
l. 5: ha[bere fidem], CLE, ILS.
l. 6: s[epul]tu[s ad undas], CIL, CLE, ILS.
l. 7: stab[at et ipse loco], CIL, CLE, ILS.
l. 8: ul[tima dona], CIL, CLE, ILS.
l. 9: munus [erit], CIL.
l. 12: [. . . pau]ci artifices, CIL; arti[fi]ci artifices, CLE; ista so[dales], CLE, ILS.
l. 13: iam rap[idus Rhodanus], CIL, CLE, ILS.

Main Translation

Translation	To Caecilius Niger, shipwright. Whoever passes by and reads this poem of mine, which will tell you the real names of the dead, I beg your pardon for these artless elegiac verses, that you do not fear to read through them, and say that the poem is enjoyable. Caecilius Niger lies buried here, the same one where you see the epitaph standing, look, he lies here. Now we, in our small group of shipwrights, offer you our last prayers, accept this gift, even though your body is dead. We hope that your bones may rest in peace in your urn and that the grievous earth may be light upon your limbs. We, carpenters, donate to the carpenter Niger, our fellow, these lines which your faded life envelops so soon.
Citation	Fabio Spalla

Other Translations

Tú, quienquiera que al pasar leas este [poema nuestro] que te [proporcionará] el verdadero nombre del difunto, te pido el favor de que leas sin miedo, hasta el final, estos versos improvisados y digas que el poema responde a la [realidad]. Cecilio Níger está aquí enterrado, al pie de estas [aguas], donde ves el epitafio y en ese mismo lugar estaba vivo hace poco. Ahora, unos cuantos marineros te ofrecemos nuestro último [homenaje]; [acoge] tú este don ya que está tu cuerpo sin vida. Deseamos que tus huesos descansen en paz dentro de su urna y que la tierra molesta se deje caer suavemente sobre tus miembros. Sus compañeros artesanos ofrecemos estos versos al artesano Níger, versos a los que pone fin el rápido Ródano. (Spanish, C. Fernández Martínez)
Whoever [pass]es by and reads [this poetry of ours, which] will give you truly the names of the dead, I beg your indulgence for these [disordered?] elegies, that you are not af[raid to read them to the end, and that you say the poem [has sincerity. Caecilius Niger is the man who lies buried here next to the waves, where you see the headstone; he himself used to stand in this place. Now we few naval-workers are giving you our [last gifts. - accept the honour though the body here is dead. We wish that your bones sleep easily in your urn and that the troublesome earth lies easy on your limbs. Craftsman to craftsman we, his mates, are giving to Niger these very lines which the sw[ift Rhone] envelops. (English, I. A. Ruffel)
A Cecilio Niger, trabajador naval. Caminante, quienquiera que seas tú que vas a leer este […] cuál […] el […?] nombre del fallecido, te pido indulgencia para estos versos elegíacos [...], no tengas miedo de leerlos hasta el final y decir que el poema […] (o bien: "y pronuncia el poema…"). Cecilio Niger está enterrado en este lugar […], donde ves que está la inscripción […]. Ahora te damos, unos cuantos trabajadores de barcos, la última […], y este homenaje […] para tu cuerpo muerto. Deseamos que tus huesos descansen suavemente en una urna propia y que la [...] tierra sea liviana para tus miembros. Al artesano Níger, nosotros, sus compañeros artesanos, le damos estos versos que ya cierran (...). (Spanish, H. Belloc)

Prosopographical Information

Name Caecilius Niger
Gender Male
Profession Members of collegia
Role Dedicatee

Name	Caecilius Niger
Gender	Male
Profession	Members of collegia
Role	Dedicatee

Further Information

Comment

J. Gascou and P. Leveau 1996 prefer an uncertain dating due to the lack of identifiable criteria. K. Verboven 2009, 2012 frames the associations of fabri navali in Gallia Narbonensis and the use of duo nomina between the 2nd and the 3rd century A.D., providing a broad chronology. H. Belloc (CLEO N032) proposes a dating between the 1st and the 2nd century A.D. with the same criteria.

Squeeze

Have Squeeze?	no

Dating

Date (From)	101 AD
Date (To)	300 AD
Date (Criteria)	names archaeology

Bibliography

CIL 12, 05811
CLE 01191
ILS 07726
ILGN 00108
J. Gascou, P. Leveau, Un témoignage sur l’économie domaniale près d’Arles au début de l’Empire ? Un membre d’un collège de fabri à Barbegal (Fontvieille, Bouches-du-Rhône), Ktèma 21 (1996), 247, n. 3 (on uncertain dating) 🔗 link
C. Fernández Martínez, Poesía epigráfica latina II, Madrid 1999, 26-27, nr. 1191 (Spanish translation of the elegiac couplets following CLE) 🔗 link
I. Ruffel, Beyond satire: Horace, popular invective and the segregation of literature, Journ. Rom. Stud. 93 (2003), 49-51 (with English translation of the elegiac couplets following CLE) 🔗 link
K. Verboven, Magistrates, patrons and benefactors of collegia: status building and romanisation in the Spanish, Gallic and German provinces. In: B. Antela-Bernárdez (ed.), T. Ñaco del Hoyo (ed.), Transforming historical landscapes in the ancient empires. Proceedings of the first workshop Area of Research in Studies from Antiquity, Barcelona 2007, Oxford 2009, 159-167 (on dating criteria) 🔗 link
K. Verboven, Les collèges et la romanisation dans les provinces occidentales. In: M. Dondin-Payre (ed.), N. Tran (ed.), Collegia. Le phénomène associatif dans l'Occident romain, Bordeaux 2012, 13-46 (on dating criteria) 🔗 link
P. Kruschwitz, How the Romans Read Funerary Inscriptions: Neglected Evidence from the Querolus, Habis 50 (2019), 358-359 - AE 2020 🔗 link
AE 2020, 00084
CLEO N032 (on different dating and with Spanish translation) 🔗 link
EDCS-09302779 🔗 link
Ghent Database of Roman Guilds 🔗 link
MQDQ 🔗 link

Images

Editing History

Created	2025-06-09, by Fabio Spalla
Work Status	Confirmed
Import Notice

Revisions

by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-05-28 10:54
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-05-28 13:10
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-05-28 14:04
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-05-28 14:05
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-05-28 14:14
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-06-09 11:43

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