Inscriptions: Epitaph of Marcus Aurelius Faustinus by his stepfather and mother

Identification

Reference as:	MPL02191
Title	Epitaph of Marcus Aurelius Faustinus by his stepfather and mother
Trismegistos-No.	487364

Object

Provenance and Location

Find Place	Lugdunum
Find Context	District of Saint-Georges, rise of Gourguillon, courtyard of the residence of the Religieuses du Verbe incarné.
Latitude	0.0
Longitude	0.0
Current Location	Lyon, Musée Gallo-Romain Lyon Fourvière
Inventory number	AD265
Current Location Details	Hall XX
Vicinity	[{"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": 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": 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": 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": 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	complete
Dimensions	width: 72.0 cm height: 135.0 cm depth: 25.0 cm
Letter Size in cm (min)	2.5
Letter Size in cm (max)	4.0
Execution Technique	chiselled
Religion	Pagan

Decoration

Decoration and Iconography	Altar with moulded base and pulvinus, surmounted by an architrave and pediment terminating in volutes. D(is) ((ascia)) M(anibus) inscribed on architrave.
Decoration Tags	Architecture / Altar Architecture / Moulding Architecture / Pediment Architecture / architrave Architecture / base Architecture / pulvinus Architecture / volute Object / Ascia

Verse Layouts

Prose Verse Presence	Prose interrupted by verse
Prose Verse Distinction	No distinction
Layout Types (Prose)	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)	iambo-trochaic rhythm
Rhythmisation	Mixed scheme

Inscription & Translations

Diplomatic Interpretative Verse Visualisation

Architrave:
D ascia MEpigraphic field:
ETMEMORIAEAETERNAE
MAVRELI`FAVSTINI´INFAN͡TISDVLCIS
SIMIETINCOMPARABILIQVI
5VIXITANNISVIIIIMIIDXIII

QVISIBIANTEMORTEMRO
GAVITQVAMPARENTIBVS
SVIS

CIVLMAXIMVSFILIAS
TROETAVRELIAFAVSTINA
10MATERVNICOFILIODESO
LATPCETSVBASCIADEDI
CAVERVNT

MVLTISAN͡NIS
VIVATQVIDIXERIT:ARPAGI
TIBITERRAMLEVEM

Architrave:
D(is) ((ascia)) M(anibus) Epigraphic field:
et memoriae aeternae
M(arci) Aureli `Faustini´, infan͡tis dulcis-
simi et incomparabili<s> qui
5vixit annis VIIII, m(ensibus) II, d(iebus) XIII.

Qui sibi ante mortem ro-
gavit quam parentibus
suis.

C(aius) Iul(ius) Maximus filias-
tro et Aurelia Faustina
10mater unico filio; deso-
lat(i), p(onendum) c(uraverunt) et sub ascia dedi-
caverunt.

Multis an͡nis
vivat qui dixerit: Arpagi
tibi terram levem.

Architrave: D(is) ((ascia)) M(anibus) Epigraphic field: et memoriae aeternae M(arci) Aureli `Faustini´, infan͡tis dulcissimi et incomparabili<s> qui vixit annis VIIII, m(ensibus) II, d(iebus) XIII.

Qui sibi ante mortem rogavit quam parentibussuis.

C(aius) Iul(ius) Maximus filiastro et Aurelia Faustina mater unico filio; desolat(i), p(onendum) c(uraverunt) et sub ascia dedicaverunt.

Multis an͡nis vivat qui dixerit: Arpagi tibi terram levem.

Apparatus

Text follows CIL. Picture checked by Spalla 2025.

Main Translation

Translation	To the Manes and to the eternal memory of Marcus Aurelius Faustinus, a very sweet and incomparable child, who lived nine years, two months and thirteen days. He wished to die before his parents. Caius Iulius Maximus for his stepson, his mother Aurelia Faustina for her only son; forsaken, they took care to arrange this and dedicated it under the ascia. May he live many years, who says: "Little child, taken too soon, may the earth be light on you".
Citation	Fabio Spalla

Other Translations

Aux dieux Mânes et à la mémoire éternelle de Marcus Aurelius Faustinus, enfant tendrement aimé et incomparable, mort à l'âge de neuf ans, deux mois et treize jours, ayant demandé de mourir avant ses parents. Caius Julius Maximus à son filiâtre, et Aurelia Faustina à son fils unique, ses parents désolés ont élevé ce tombeau et l'ont dédié sous l'ascia. Vive de longues années celui qui te souhaitera, enfant trop tôt ravi, la terre légère. (French , A. Allmer, P. Dissard)
A los dioses Manes y a la memoria eterna de Marco Aurelio Faustino, niño queridísimo e incomparable, que vivió 9 años, 2 meses y 13 días, quien deseó la muerte para sí antes que para sus padres. Gayo Julio Máximo para su hijastro, y Aurelia Faustina, su madre, para su único hijo, desolados, se ocuparon de que se erigiera y lo dedicaron bajo el ascia. Que viva muchos años quien diga: ‘niño arrebatado prematuramente, que la tierra te sea ligera’. (Spanish, C. Fernández Martínez, 2020)

Prosopographical Information

Name Marcus Aurelius Faustinus
Gender Male
Age Range Infant (0–12) [expression: Canonical, precision: high]
Role Dedicatee
Name Caius Iulius Maximus
Gender Male
Role Dedicator
Name Aurelia Faustina
Gender Female
Role Dedicator

Name	Marcus Aurelius Faustinus
Gender	Male
Age Range	Infant (0–12) [expression: Canonical, precision: high]
Role	Dedicatee

Name	Caius Iulius Maximus
Gender	Male
Role	Dedicator

Name	Aurelia Faustina
Gender	Female
Role	Dedicator

Further Information

Comment

Dating proposed by Hirschfeld.

Squeeze

Have Squeeze?	no

Dating

Date (From)	201 AD
Date (To)	230 AD
Date (Criteria)	palaeography

Bibliography

CIL 13, 02073
ILS 08141
A. Boissieu, Inscriptions antiques de Lyon. Reproduites d'après les monuments ou recueillies dans les auteurs, Lyon 1846, 486-487, nr. 12 (with drawing) 🔗 link
A. Allmer, P. Dissard, Musée de Lyon. Inscriptions antiques, Vol. 3, Lyon 1890, 181-183, nr. 265 (with French translation) 🔗 link
A. Le Mer, C. Chomer, Carte archéologique de la Gaule 69.2: Lyon, Paris 2007, 495. 🔗 link
P. Cugusi, M. T. Sblendorio Cugusi, Carmina latina epigraphica non-Bücheleriani delle Galliae, Cesena 2019, 74, nr. 78. 🔗 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. 🔗 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), 89-92, nr. 3 (with Spanish translation and photo, 90, fig. 3) 🔗 link
CLEO L029 🔗 link
EDCS-10501030 🔗 link
Ubi Erat Lupa 20303 🔗 link

Images

Epitaph of Marcus Aurelius Faustinus by his stepfather and mother.
Source: CLEO L029 (c) A. Bolaños Herrera

Editing History

Created	2025-07-16, by Fabio Spalla
Work Status	Complete
Import Notice

Revisions

by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-11 08:37
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-11 08:47
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-11 09:08
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-11 09:08
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-11 09:10
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-07-14 13:14
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-14 16:10
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-07-14 16:10
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-07-16 18:43

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