Inscriptions: Epitaph of Claudia Felicitas by the veteran Messorius Florus

Identification

Reference as:	MPL02187
Title	Epitaph of Claudia Felicitas by the veteran Messorius Florus
Trismegistos-No.	487143

Object

Provenance and Location

Find Place	Lugdunum
Find Context	District of Saint-Just, area of Trion, inside a well, 1886.
Latitude	0.0
Longitude	0.0
Current Location	Lyon, Musée Gallo-Romain Lyon Fourvière
Inventory number	AD55
Current Location Details	Hall VII.
Vicinity	[{"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2187, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2187", "long_id": "MPL02187", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "Architrave: D(is) ((ascia)) M(anibus) Epigraphic \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/L009-scaled.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of Claudia Felicitas by the veteran Messorius Florus"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 796, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/796", "long_id": "MPL00796", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "Manet hic iuvenis pia mater. D(is) M(anibus) et m\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/L021editadamejorada-scaled.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of Varia Restituta by her husband"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 797, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/797", "long_id": "MPL00797", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "[------]FI[---] [---]ien curio[sus?] [ubi] si scir\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://www.persee.fr/renderIllustration/bmml_0521-7032_1982_num_7_1_T1_0003_0000_3.png", "title": "Funerary inscription for a person who died at sea"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2134, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2134", "long_id": "MPL02134", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "D(is)\u2003 M(anibus) Lucretiae Valeriae Sexavius ((int\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Lucretia Valeria and Sexavius Hermeros"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2165, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2165", "long_id": "MPL02165", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "Praeteriens hominum sortem miserare, viator, deque\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph of the medicus Felix"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2185, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2185", "long_id": "MPL02185", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "[D(is) ((ascia)) M(anibus)] Architrave: [et m(emo\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/L005Concha-scaled.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of Lucius Claudius Rufinus"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2186, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2186", "long_id": "MPL02186", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "Architrave: D(is) ((ascia)) M(anibus) Epigraphic \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/L013Alberto-scaled.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of Matia Vera by her husband Pusinnonius Dubitatus"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2188, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2188", "long_id": "MPL02188", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "Pediment: ((ascia)) Epigraphic field Diis Manib(u\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$CIL_13_02087_1.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of Camilla Augustilla by her brother Silenius Reginus"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2189, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2189", "long_id": "MPL02189", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "Murrae et Verecundo, Murrani filis. Qui legis \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph of Murra and Verecundus by their parents"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2190, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2190", "long_id": "MPL02190", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "Pediment: D(is) ((ascia)) `et\u00b4 ((ascia)) M(anibus\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/L030Concha-scaled.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of Blandinia Martiola by her husband Pompeius Catussa"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2191, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2191", "long_id": "MPL02191", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "Architrave: D(is) ((ascia)) M(anibus) Epigraphic \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/L029ABH-scaled.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of Marcus Aurelius Faustinus by his stepfather and mother"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2196, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2196", "long_id": "MPL02196", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "------ [. c. 7.] doluit nisi mortis. ( vac. 3) \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Imagen1.jpg", "title": "Epitaph on sarcophagus by Reginus to his wife"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2197, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2197", "long_id": "MPL02197", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "Pediment: D(is) ((ascia)) M(anibus) Architrave: \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/DSC_0023-scaled.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of Iulia Filemation by his foster son Gaius Cottius Theodotus and his two freedwomen"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2199, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2199", "long_id": "MPL02199", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "D(is) `et que\u0361ti aet\u0361ernae\u00b4 M(anibus) Touti Incita\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/L048retocada.-C.-Fern%C3%A1ndez-scaled.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of Toutius Incitatus by his freedman Toutius Marcellus"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2202, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2202", "long_id": "MPL02202", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "Pediment: ((ascia)) Architrave: Diis Manibus Epi\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/L012b.Foto-de-F.-B%C3%A9rard.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of Facundinia Germana by her husband Caius Secundinius Hylas"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2203, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2203", "long_id": "MPL02203", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "------ [---]f\u0323+[---] [---]+en curio\u0323[sus] [c. 2\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/L034-RC-1.jpg", "title": "Memorial of a shipwreck from Lugdunum"}, {"coords": [45.7589, 4.81948], "id": 2204, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2204", "long_id": "MPL02204", "place": "Lugdunum", "text": "Pediment: ((ascia)) Architrave: Have Modii, \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$CIL_13_02216.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of Septicia Gemina by her husband Lucius Modius Annianus"}, {"coords": [43.8432, 4.35418], "id": 2193, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2193", "long_id": "MPL02193", "place": "Nemausus", "text": "Hoc monimentum maesoleumque mo-nimentorum caus{s}a\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph dedicated by Hostilia"}, {"coords": [43.8432, 4.35418], "id": 2195, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2195", "long_id": "MPL02195", "place": "Nemausus", "text": "[------?] [--- p]atroni famam barbar[---] cuius \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Testamentary inscription of a jurisconsult"}, {"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": [45.7797, 3.08682], "id": 982, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/982", "long_id": "MPL00982", "place": "Augustonemetum", "text": "Sanctis [contiguus sacroque patri] vivit sic [meri\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Augustonemetum \u2013 Clermont-Ferrand (Aquitania) - HD051640"}, {"coords": [45.5556, 6.65042], "id": 1049, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/1049", "long_id": "MPL01049", "place": "Axima", "text": "Silvane sacra semicluse fra[xino] et huius alti su\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Votive inscription from Axima (Forum Claudii Ceutronum) \u2013 Aime-en-Tarentaise (Alpes Graiae) - HD065379"}, {"coords": [47.2372, 6.02792], "id": 1053, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/1053", "long_id": "MPL01053", "place": "Vesontio", "text": "[[..]]rginiae Marius Vitalis coniunx ((ceturio)) l\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Marius Vitalis"}, {"coords": [47.2372, 6.02792], "id": 2081, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2081", "long_id": "MPL02081", "place": "Vesontio", "text": "Ave vita", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Fibula with love dedication from Vesontio"}, {"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": [46.202, 6.1438], "id": 2060, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2060", "long_id": "MPL02060", "place": "Genava", "text": "Uror amore tuo.", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Fibula with love dedication from Genava"}, {"coords": [46.202, 6.1438], "id": 2146, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2146", "long_id": "MPL02146", "place": "Genava", "text": "Uror amor-e tuo.", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$CIL_12_05698-18.jpg", "title": "Fibula with love dedication from Genava"}, {"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/$RICG_15_00039.jpg", "title": "Christian funerary inscription for Foedula"}, {"coords": [45.5242, 4.87325], "id": 2198, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2198", "long_id": "MPL02198", "place": "Vienna", "text": "D(is) [M(anibus)] Aspice, praeteriens, mo[nume\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph with acrostic from Vienne"}, {"coords": [44.1368, 4.80792], "id": 2074, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2074", "long_id": "MPL02074", "place": "Arausio", "text": "Amo te.", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Fibula with love dedication from Arausio"}, {"coords": [43.8766, 5.39368], "id": 2083, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2083", "long_id": "MPL02083", "place": "Apta Iulia", "text": "[Dis in]fernis memoriaeq(ue) semper habendae H[ipp\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db-edcs-eu.uaccess.univie.ac.at/epigr/bilder/$ILN-04_00032_1.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription to Hippodamia by her husband"}, {"coords": [47.4508, 6.80205], "id": 2085, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2085", "long_id": "MPL02085", "place": "Epamanduodurum", "text": "Da cito amica. \u00a0\u00a0\u2190", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Fibula with love dedication from Epamanduodurum"}, {"coords": [47.4527, 6.65168], "id": 2139, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2139", "long_id": "MPL02139", "place": "Longevelle-sur-Doubs", "text": "Succurre amanti si me amas.", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Fibula with love dedication from Longevelle-sur-Doubs"}, {"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"}, {"coords": [45.9361, 4.71819], "id": 2201, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2201", "long_id": "MPL02201", "place": "Asa Paulini", "text": "------ n\u0323av\u0323[is? fe]licies proscindens\u0323 [. c. 4.]\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$AE_1992_01237_1.jpg", "title": "Fragmentary epitaph of Dulciola"}, {"coords": [45.9361, 4.71819], "id": 2265, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2265", "long_id": "MPL02265", "place": "Asa Paulini", "text": "[---]SED+[---] [---]++VENI+[---] [---c]rinibus al[\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$AE_1992_01238.jpg", "title": "Fragmentary inscription from Asa Paulini"}]

Object Details

Object Type	altar
Material	limestone
State of Preservation	fragmentary (adjoining fragments)
Dimensions	width: 46.0 cm height: 116.0 cm depth: 44.0 cm
Letter Size in cm (min)	2.0
Letter Size in cm (max)	2.5
Execution Technique	chiselled
Religion	Unknown

Decoration

Decoration and Iconography	Altar with moulded base and pulvinus, on which rests an architrave and pediment, now lost. Ascia within the D(is) M(anibus) formula inscribed on the architrave.
Decoration Tags	Architecture / Altar Architecture / Moulding Architecture / Pediment Architecture / architrave Architecture / base Architecture / pulvinus Object / Ascia

Verse Layouts

Prose Verse Presence	Praescriptum + carmen + subscriptum
Prose Verse Distinction	Yes, by bigger lettering in prose Yes, by interpunction Yes, by vacat Yes, by other signs
Layout Types (Prose)	Centered Left aligned
Layout Types (Verse)	Left aligned
Scriptio Continua in verse part	no
Abbreviations in verse part	no
Verse Line Correspondence	No
Graphic Signs and Spaces for Easier Carmen Reading	To separate words - Interpunction

Text

Function	funerary inscription
Language(s)	Latin
Verse Type(s)	Dactylic rhythm
Rhythmisation	Mixed scheme

Inscription & Translations

Diplomatic Interpretative Verse Visualisation

Architrave:
D ascia MEpigraphic field
ETMEMORIAEAE
TERNAECLAVDIAE
FELICITATISCOIV
5GISSANCTISSIMAE
ETINCOMPARABILI
QVAEVIXITCVM..
AN͡NISVIMENSIBVSV
DIEBVSXVMESSORI
10VSFLORVSVETERA
NVSLEGIMPF palmula

HVNCTITVLVM
QVEMFECICOIV
GICARAEETMIHI
15VIVVSOROFLORBVS
FLORVMHILARES
CONDECORETISAM
ICI

PCETSVBASCIADEDICAVIT palmula

Architrave:
D(is) ((ascia)) M(anibus) Epigraphic field
et memoriae ae-
ternae Claudiae
Felicitatis co<n>iu-
5gis sanctissimae
et incomparabili,
quae vixit cum ẹọ
an͡nis VI, mensibus V,
diebus XV, Messori-
10us Florus, vetera-
nus leg(ionis) I M(inerviae) P(iae) F(idelis). ( vac. 2) ((palmula))

( vac. 1) Hunc titulum,
quem feci co<n>iu-
gi carae et mihi
15vivus, oro flor<i>bus
Florum hilares
condecoretis am
ici.

P(onendum) c(uravit) et sub ascia dedicavit. ( vac. 2) ((palmula))

Architrave: D(is) ((ascia)) M(anibus) Epigraphic field et memoriae aeternae Claudiae Felicitatis co<n>iugis sanctissimae et incomparabili, quae vixit cum ẹọ an͡nis VI, mensibus V, diebus XV, Messorius Florus, veteranus leg(ionis) I M(inerviae) P(iae) F(idelis). ( vac. 2) ((palmula))

( vac. 1) Hunc titulum, quem feci co<n>iugi carae et mihi vivus,
oro flor<i>bus Florum hilares condecoretis amici.

P(onendum) c(uravit) et sub ascia dedicavit. ( vac. 2) ((palmula))

Apparatus

Text follows CIL. Picture checked by Spalla 2025.
ll. 12-18: regular hexameters, CLE.

Main Translation

Translation	Messorius Florus, veteran of the first legion Minervia Pia Fidelis, dedicated this monument to the Manes and to the eternal memory of Claudia Felicitas, a most venerable and incomparable wife, who lived with him for six years, five months and fifteen days. I beg you, my friends, to joyfully adorn with flowers this epitaph which I made for my dear wife and for myself while still alive, and Florus too. He took care to arrange this and dedicated it under the ascia.
Citation	Fabio Spalla

Other Translations

Aux dieux Mânes et à la mémoire éternelle de Claudia, épouse très vertueuse et incomparable, qui a vécu avec son mari Messorius Florus, vétéran de la légion 1re Minervia Pia Fidelis, six ans, cinq mois et quinze jours. Amis, ornez, je vous prie, cette épitaphe, que j'ai faite pour mon épouse chérie et pour moi-même de mon vivant, et couvrez gaîment de fleurs Florus, qui a élevé et dédié sous l'ascia ce tombeau. (French , A. Allmer)
Den Manen und dem ewigen Andenken an Claudia Felicitas, der tugendhaftesten und unvergleichlichen Gattin, welche mit mir 6 Jahre, 5 Monate und 15 Tage gelebt hat, Messorius Florus, Veteran aus der Legio I Minervia Pia Fidelis. Diesen Grabstein, den ich für meine liebe Gattin und für mich zu Lebzeiten aufgestellt habe, wollet, so bitte ich, ihr Freunde, mit Blumen und Blüten schmücken voll Heiterkeit. Er hat den Stein aufstellen lassen und unter der Axt geweiht. (German, G. Walser)
Yo, Mesorio Floro, soldado veterano de la primera legión M(inervia) Pía Fiel, que hice esta inscripción para mi querida esposa y para mí, en vida, os ruego, amigos complacientes, que adornéis a Floro con flores Se preocupó él de que la pusieran y la dedicó antes de acabar el monumento. (Spanish, C. Fernández Martínez, 1999)
A los dioses Manes y a la memoria eterna de Claudia Felicidad, esposa muy santa e incomparable, que vivió con él 6 años, 5 meses y 15 días, Mesorio Floro, veterano de la Legión I Minervia Pia Fidelis. Este epitafio que compuse para mi querida esposa y para mí, en vida, os ruego amigos que alegremente lo decoréis, y también a mí, Floro con flores. Se ocupó de que se erigiera y lo dedicó bajo el ascia. (Spanish, C. Fernández Martínez, 2020)

Prosopographical Information

Name Claudia Felicitas
Gender Female
Role Dedicatee
Name Messorius Florus
Gender Male
Profession Military staff
Role Dedicator

Name	Claudia Felicitas
Gender	Female
Role	Dedicatee

Name	Messorius Florus
Gender	Male
Profession	Military staff
Role	Dedicator

Further Information

Comment

Dating proposed by Fernández Martínez (CLEO).

Squeeze

Have Squeeze?	no

Dating

Date (From)	171 AD
Date (To)	230 AD
Date (Criteria)	palaeography

Bibliography

CLE 01594
CIL 13, 01849
A. Allmer, Revue épigraphique. Inscriptions 588 à 595, Rev. Ep. 2, 38 (1886), 183-185, nr. 592 (with French translation) 🔗 link
A. Allmer, Catalogue sommaire des musées de la ville de Lyon, Lyon 1887, 101, nr. 43. 🔗 link
A. Allmer, P. Dissard, Musée de Lyon. Inscriptions antiques, Vol. 1, Lyon 1888, 280-283, nr. 55 (with French translation) 🔗 link
J. Cholodniak, Carmina sepulcralia latina epigraphica, Petersburg 1904, 107, nr. 289c. 🔗 link
G. Walser, Römische Inschrift-Kunst. Römische Inschriften für den akademischen Unterricht und als Einführung in die lateinische Epigraphik, Stuttgart 1988, 274-275, nr. 124 (with German translation and photo) 🔗 link
C. Fernández Martínez, Poesía epigráfica latina II, Madrid 1999, 204-204, nr. 1594 (Spanish translation of ll. 9-19) 🔗 link
C. Fernández Martínez, Ritmos métricos accidentales o locuciones idiomáticas en inscripciones galas consideradas como carmina (CIL, XIII, 1983, 1972, 2073, 2216, 1849), Rev. Philol. 94, 1 (2020), 95-98, nr. 5 (with Spanish translation and photo, 96, fig. 5) 🔗 link
CLEO L009 🔗 link
EDCS-10500804 🔗 link

Images

Epitaph of Claudia Felicitas by the veteran Messorius Florus.
Source: CLEO L009 (c) C. Fernández Martínez

Editing History

Created	2025-12-18, by Fabio Spalla
Work Status	Complete
Import Notice

Revisions

by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-03 09:14
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-03 10:36
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-03 10:39
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-07-14 12:17
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-14 16:00
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-12-15 08:42
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-12-18 17:52

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