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Inscriptions: Epitaph of the freedman Iucundus, killed by one of his slaves

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Identification

Reference as: MPL02231
Title Epitaph of the freedman Iucundus, killed by one of his slaves
Trismegistos-No. 212125

Object

Provenance and Location

Find Place Mogontiacum
Find Context Found during works for the canal on the Rosengasse, 1881.
Latitude 0.0
Longitude 0.0
Current Location Mainz, Landesmuseum Mainz
Inventory number S 260
Current Location Details
Vicinity

Object Details

Object Type stele
Material limestone
State of Preservation incomplete
Dimensions

width: 72.0 cm

height: 210.0 cm

depth: 33.0 cm

Letter Size in cm (min) 4.0
Letter Size in cm (max) 8.5
Execution Technique chiselled
Religion Pagan

Decoration

Decoration and Iconography Inscription within moulded frame, last two letters (-IT) of l. 16 iinscribed over frame. Above the frame, moulded tympanum. On pediment, double-handle vase from which two leafy branches and two flowers spring. Tendrils sculpted on the gabel of the tympanum. Below the frame, pastoral scene with a portrait of the deceased accompanied by his dog, grazing cattle in front of two trees.
Decoration Tags
  • Animal / dog
  • Architecture / Moulding
  • Architecture / Pediment
  • Architecture / Tympanum
  • Architecture / frame
  • Person / Human figure
  • Person / man
  • Plant / Flower
  • Plant / branch
  • Plant / tree
  • Scene / Profession
  • Person / portrait
  • Plant / Tendril
  • Animal / Cattle
  • Object / vase

Verse Layouts

  • Prose Verse PresencePraescriptum + carmen + subscriptum
    Prose Verse Distinction
    • Yes, by bigger lettering in prose
    • Yes, by different layout
    Layout Types (Prose)
    • Centered
    • Justified
    Layout Types (Verse)
    • Justified
    Scriptio Continua in verse partno
    Abbreviations in verse partno
    Verse Line CorrespondenceNo, just uses all available space
    Graphic Signs and Spaces for Easier Carmen Reading
    • To separate words - Interpunction

Text

Function funerary inscription
Language(s)
  • Latin
Verse Type(s)
  • Dactylic hexameter
  • Dactylic pentameter
  • Dactylic rhythm
  • Elegiac couplet
Rhythmisation Quantitative scheme

Inscription & Translations

IVCVNDVS
MTERENTIL
PECVARIVS

PRAETERIENSQVICV͡M
5QVELEGISCONSISTE
VIATORETVIDEQVAMIN
DIGNERAPTVSINANE
QVERAR
VIVERENON
POTVIPLVRESXXXPER
10ANNOS
NAMERVPVITSE
RVOSMIHIVITAMETIPSE
PRAECIPITEMSESSEDEIE
CITINAMNEM
APSTVLIT
HVICMOENVSQVOD
15DOMINO      ERIPVIT

PATRONVSDESVOPOSVIT
Iucundus
M(arci) Terenti l(ibertus)
pecuarius.

Praeteriens quicu͡m-
5que legis, consiste,
viator, et vide quam in-
digne raptus inane
querar;
vivere non
potui plures XXX per
10annos,
-
nam erupuit se-
rvos mihi vitam et ipse
praecipitem ses{s}e deie-
cit in amnem.
Apstulit
huic Moenus quod
15domino ( vac. 3) eripuit.

Patronus de suo posuit.
Iucundus M(arci) Terenti l(ibertus) pecuarius.

Praeteriens quicu͡mque legis, consiste, viator,
et vide quam indigne raptus inane querar;

vivere non potui plures XXX per annos,

nam erupuit servos mihi vitam et ipse
praecipitem ses{s}e deiecit in amnem.

Apstulit huic Moenus quod domino ( vac. 3) eripuit.
Patronus de suo posuit.
Apparatus

l.10 reg., orig. erupuit | reg., orig. servos
l.13 reg., orig. Apstulit

Text follows Kruschwitz. Picture checked by Spalla 2025.

Main Translation

Translation Iucunds the herdsman, freedman of Marcus Terentius.

Traveller, whoever you are who read this as you pass by, halt, and see how undeservedly I, who make these useless complaints, was snatched away. I was not able to live for more than thirty years, for a slave deprived me of life and hurled himself headlong into the river. The Main took from him what he took from his owner.

Set up by his patron at his own expense.
Citation E. Courtney

Other Translations

Prosopographical Information

  • NameIucundus
    GenderMale
    Age RangeAdult (21–60) [expression: Canonical, precision: high]
    Legal StatusFreedman / Freedwoman
    ProfessionOther profession
    RoleDedicatee
  • NameMarcus Terentius
    GenderMale
    RoleDedicator

Further Information

Comment

Dating proposed by Boppert (CSIR 02, 06). Selzer and Kruschwitz both propose a dating to the broad 1st century AD.

Squeeze

Have Squeeze? no

Dating

Date (From) 1 AD
Date (To) 50 AD
Date (Criteria)
  • palaeography
  • names

Bibliography

Images

  • Epitaph of the freedman Iucundus, killed by one of his slaves.

    Epitaph of the freedman Iucundus, killed by one of his slaves.

    Source: Ubi Erat Lupa 16500 (c) Mainz - Landesmuseum. Photo: Ortolf Harl

Editing History

Created 2025-10-08, by Fabio Spalla
Work Status Complete
Import Notice
Revisions
  1. by Fabio Spalla
    at 2025-09-11 12:48
  2. by Fabio Spalla
    at 2025-09-11 13:12
  3. by Fabio Spalla
    at 2025-09-11 13:57
  4. by Fabio Spalla
    at 2025-09-11 13:58
  5. by Chiara Cenati
    at 2025-09-13 16:26
  6. by Fabio Spalla
    at 2025-09-15 06:17
  7. by Fabio Spalla
    at 2025-09-15 06:24
  8. by Fabio Spalla
    at 2025-09-15 06:58
  9. by Chiara Cenati
    at 2025-10-08 14:13
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