Inscriptions: Epitaph of Blandinia Martiola by her husband Pompeius Catussa
Identification
| Reference as: | MPL02190 |
|---|---|
| Title | Epitaph of Blandinia Martiola by her husband Pompeius Catussa |
| Trismegistos-No. | 487276 |
Object
Provenance and Location
| Find Place | Lugdunum |
|---|---|
| Find Context | Saint-Georges district, foundations of the Commandery, 1815. |
| Latitude | 0.0 |
| Longitude | 0.0 |
| Current Location | Lyon, Musée Gallo-Romain Lyon Fourvière |
| Inventory number | 187 |
| Current Location Details | Hall V. |
| Vicinity |
Object Details
| Object Type | altar |
|---|---|
| Material | limestone |
| State of Preservation | complete |
| Dimensions |
width: 48.0 cm height: 75.0 cm depth: 34.0 cm |
| Letter Size in cm (min) | 2.0 |
| Letter Size in cm (max) | 3.5 |
| Execution Technique | chiselled |
| Religion | Pagan |
Decoration
| Decoration and Iconography | Altar with moulded base and pulvinus, surmounted by an architrave and flat pediment. D(is) ((ascia)) et ((ascia)) M(anibus) inscribed on pediment. Memoriae aetern(ae) inscribed on architrave. Hole for the storage of ashes on pedestal. Traces of colouring are visible especially in ll. 11-15. |
|---|---|
| Decoration Tags |
|
Verse Layouts
-
Prose Verse Presence Praescriptum + carmen Prose Verse Distinction - Yes, by bigger lettering in prose
- Yes, by different layout
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, just uses all available space Graphic Signs and Spaces for Easier Carmen Reading - To separate words - Interpunction
Text
| Function | funerary inscription |
|---|---|
| Language(s) |
|
| Verse Type(s) |
|
| Rhythmisation | Mixed scheme |
Inscription & Translations
Pediment:
D ascia `ET´ ascia MArchitrave:
MEMORIAEAETERNEpigraphic field:
BLANDINIAEMARTIOLAEPVELA͡E
INNOCENTISSIMAEQVAEVIXIT
5ANNXVIIIMVIIIIDVPOM͡PEIVS
CATVSSACIVESSEQVANVSTEC
TORCONIVGIINCOMPARABILI
ETSIBIBENIGNISSIMEQVAEME
CVMVIXITANVMVIDXVIII
10SINEVLACRIMINISSORDEVIVS
SIBIETCONIVGIPONENDVMCV
RAVITETSVBASCIADEDICAVIT
D ascia `ET´ ascia MArchitrave:
MEMORIAEAETERNEpigraphic field:
BLANDINIAEMARTIOLAEPVELA͡E
INNOCENTISSIMAEQVAEVIXIT
5ANNXVIIIMVIIIIDVPOM͡PEIVS
CATVSSACIVESSEQVANVSTEC
TORCONIVGIINCOMPARABILI
ETSIBIBENIGNISSIMEQVAEME
CVMVIXITANVMVIDXVIII
10SINEVLACRIMINISSORDEVIVS
SIBIETCONIVGIPONENDVMCV
RAVITETSVBASCIADEDICAVIT
.VQVILEGISVADEINAPOLINIS
LAVARIQVODEGOCVMCONIV
15GEFECIVELLEMSIADVCPOSSEM
Pediment:
D(is) ((ascia)) `et´ ((ascia)) M(anibus) Architrave:
memoriae aetern(ae) Epigraphic field:
Blandiniae Martiolae, puel<l>a͡e
innocentissimae quae vixit
5ann(is) XVIII, m(ensibus) VIIII, d(iebus) V. Pom͡peius
Catussa, cives Sequanus, tec-
tor, coniugi incomparabili
et sibi benignissim<a>e. Quae me-
cum vixit an(nis) V, m(ensibus) VI, d(iebus) XVIII
10sine ul<l>a criminis sorde. Vi<v>us
sibi et coniugi ponendum cu-
ravit et sub ascia dedicavit.
D(is) ((ascia)) `et´ ((ascia)) M(anibus) Architrave:
memoriae aetern(ae) Epigraphic field:
Blandiniae Martiolae, puel<l>a͡e
innocentissimae quae vixit
5ann(is) XVIII, m(ensibus) VIIII, d(iebus) V. Pom͡peius
Catussa, cives Sequanus, tec-
tor, coniugi incomparabili
et sibi benignissim<a>e. Quae me-
cum vixit an(nis) V, m(ensibus) VI, d(iebus) XVIII
10sine ul<l>a criminis sorde. Vi<v>us
sibi et coniugi ponendum cu-
ravit et sub ascia dedicavit.
Ṭu qui legis vade in Apol<l>inis
lavari, quod ego cum coniu-
15ge feci; vellem si ad<h>uc possem.
Pediment: D(is) ((ascia)) `et´ ((ascia)) M(anibus) Architrave: memoriae aetern(ae) Epigraphic field: Blandiniae Martiolae, puel<l>a͡e innocentissimae quae vixit ann(is) XVIII, m(ensibus) VIIII, d(iebus) V. Pom͡peius Catussa, cives Sequanus, tector, coniugi incomparabili et sibi benignissim<a>e. Quae mecum vixit an(nis) V, m(ensibus) VI, d(iebus) XVIII sine ul<l>a criminis sorde. Vi<v>us sibi et coniugi ponendum curavit et sub ascia dedicavit.
Ṭu qui legis vade in Apol<l>inis lavari,
quod ego cum coniuge feci; vellem si ad<h>uc possem.
Apparatus
l.6 reg., orig. cives
Text follows CIL. Picture checked by Spalla 2025.
l. 3: Marticlae, Artaud.
Main Translation
| Translation |
To the Manes and to the eternal memory of Blandinia Martiola, a purest girl, who lived eighteen years, nine months and five days. Pompeius Catussa, a Sequanian citizen and a plasterer, made this for his wife, incomparable and so kind to him. She lived with me for five years, six months and eighteen days without any stain of reproach. While still alive, he took care to set this up for himself and his wife, and dedicated it under the ascia. You who are reading, go bathe in the baths fo Apollo, as I did with my wife; I wish I could do it still. |
|---|---|
| Citation | R. Knapp |
Other Translations
- Aux dieux Mânes et à la mémoire éternelle de Blandinia Martiola, jeune femme pleine d'innocence, morte à l'âge de dix-huit ans, neuf mois et cinq jours; Pompeius Catussa, de la cité des Séquanes, artiste stucateur, à son épouse incomparable, remplie de bonté à son égard, qui a vécu avec lui cinq ans, six mois et dix-huit jours, pure de toute souillure, a élevé ce tombeau et aussi pour lui-même et l'a dédié sous l'ascia. Toi qui lis ces lignes, vas au bain d'Apollon, ce qu'avec ma femme j'ai souvent fait et voudrais encore faire si cela était possible. (French , A. Allmer, P. Dissard)
- Den Totengötter und der ewigen Erinnerung an Blandinia Martiola, der unbescholtensten jungen Frau, die 18 Jahre, 9 Monate (und) 5 Tage lebte. Pompeius Catussa, Bürger des Stammes der Sequaner, Stukkateur, der unvergleichlichen und ihm liebevollsten Gattin, die mit ihm 5 Jahre, 6 Monate und 18 Tage ohne den Schmutz des Lasters (=Ehebruch) gelebt hat. Zu Lebzeiten hat er sich und der Gattin (diesen Stein) setzen lassen und unter der ascia geweiht. Du, der du dies liest, gehe in das Apollo-Bad, um zu baden, wie ich es mit meiner Frau gemacht habe. Ich würde es gerne tun, wenn ich es noch könnte. (German, L. Wierschowski)
- A los dioses Manes. A la memoria eterna de Blandinia Martiola, jovencita buenísima, que vivió 18 años, 9 meses y 5 días. Pompeyo Catussa, ciudadano sécuano, estucador, a su esposa incomparable y bondadosísima con él. Ella vivió conmigo 5 años, 6 meses y 18 días sin ninguna mancha de maldad. En vida se ocupó de que se erigiera para sí y para su esposa y lo dedicó bajo un ascia.Tú que lo lees, vete a los baños de Apolo, como hice yo con mi esposa ¡ya quisiera yo si aún pudiese! (Spanish, C. Fernández Martínez, 2020)
Prosopographical Information
-
Name Blandinia Martiola Gender Female Age Range Subadult (13–20) [expression: Canonical, precision: high] Role Dedicatee -
Name Pompeius Catussa Gender Male Origin Foreign Role Dedicator
Further Information
Comment
Dating proposed by Hirschfeld.
Squeeze
| Have Squeeze? | no |
|---|
Dating
| Date (From) | 201 AD |
|---|---|
| Date (To) | 300 AD |
| Date (Criteria) |
|
Bibliography
- CIL 13, 01983
- ILS 08158
- F. Artaud, Notices des inscriptions antiques du musée de Lyon, Lyon 1816, 82-83, nr 62 (with French translation) 🔗 link
- A. Boissieu, Inscriptions antiques de Lyon. Reproduites d'après les monuments ou recueillies dans les auteurs, Lyon 1846, 429-430, nr. 27 (with drawing) 🔗 link
- A. Allmer, P. Dissard, Musée de Lyon. Inscriptions antiques, Vol. 2, Lyon 1889, 504-507, nr. 187 (with French translation) 🔗 link
- L. Wierschowski, Fremde in Gallien - "Gallier" in der Fremde. Die epigraphisch bezeugte Mobilität in, von und nach Gallien vom 1. bis 3. Jh. n. Ch. (Texte-Übersetzungen-Kommentare), Stuttgart 2001, 334-335, nr. 462 (with German translation) 🔗 link
- A. Le Mer, C. Chomer, Carte archéologique de la Gaule 69.2: Lyon, Paris 2007, 443. 🔗 link
- R. Knapp, Invisible Romans. Prostitues, outlaws, slaves, gladiators, ordinary men and women... the Romans that history forgot, London 2011, 47 (English translation) 🔗 link
- P. Cugusi, M. Sblendorio Cugusi, Carmina latina epigraphica non-Bücheleriani delle Galliae, Cesena 2019, 73, nr. 75. 🔗 link
- C. Fernández Martínez, CLE de las Galias: estado de la cuestión y avances para la edición de CIL XVIII/3. In: F. Beutler (ed.), Th. Pantzer (ed.), Sprachen – Schriftkulturen – Identitäten der Antike. Beiträge des XV. Internationalen Kongresses für Griechische und Lateinische Epigraphik, Wien 28. August bis 1. September 2017: Einzelvorträge, Wiener Beiträge zur Alten Geschichte online (WBAGon), Vol. 1, Vienna 2019, 8 - AE 2019. 🔗 link
- AE 2019, 01001
- 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), 84-87, nr. 1 (with Spanish translation and photo, 85, fig. 1) 🔗 link
- N. Delferrière, M. A. Janin, Prospérer hors de son territoire: l'exemple du tector séquane Pompeius Catussa. In: J. Lipps (ed.), People Abroad. Proceedings of the XVI. International Colloquium on Roman Provincial Art, April 9–13th 2019, Tübingen, Rahden 2021, 159-169 - AE 2021 🔗 link
- AE 2021, 00929
- CLEO L030 🔗 link
- EDCS-10500938 🔗 link
- Lugdunum. Musée et Théâtres Romains 🔗 link
- Ubi Erat Lupa 20275 🔗 link
Images
Editing History
| Created | 2025-12-18, by Fabio Spalla |
|---|---|
| Work Status | Complete |
| Import Notice |
Revisions
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by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-07 10:12 -
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-07 10:57 -
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-07 13:15 -
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-07 13:30 -
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at 2025-07-07 13:32 -
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-07 13:33 -
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-07-14 12:48 -
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-14 16:08 -
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-12-15 08:44 -
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-12-18 17:55
