Inscriptions: Epitaph of the freedwoman Daphnis by her husband Hermes

Identification

Reference as:	MPL00252
Title	Epitaph of the freedwoman Daphnis by her husband Hermes
Trismegistos-No.	200195

Object

Provenance and Location

Find Place	Carthago
Find Context	Byrsa, cemetery of the "officiales" of Bir-el-Djebbana.
Latitude	0.0
Longitude	0.0
Current Location	unknown
Inventory number
Current Location Details
Vicinity	[{"coords": [36.85, 10.318], "id": 252, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/252", "long_id": "MPL00252", "place": "Carthago", "text": "Daphnis ego Hermetis coniunx sum libera facta. \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$CLE_02115.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of the freedwoman Daphnis by her husband Hermes"}, {"coords": [36.85, 10.318], "id": 253, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/253", "long_id": "MPL00253", "place": "Carthago", "text": "Dis Manib(us) sacr(um) Norbania Saturnina pia. O\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph for Norbania Saturnina"}, {"coords": [36.8531, 10.3231], "id": 429, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/429", "long_id": "MPL00429", "place": "Carthago", "text": "Eutitia hic felix fideli morte quiescet, eclesie q\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Eutitia"}, {"coords": [36.85, 10.318], "id": 2241, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2241", "long_id": "MPL02241", "place": "Carthago", "text": "Dis M(anibus) s(acrum). Tu, quicumq(ue) pius \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://cil.bbaw.de/ace/files/PH0010991.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of the imperial slave Severa by her husband"}, {"coords": [35.5651, 8.45248], "id": 390, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/390", "long_id": "MPL00390", "place": "Ammaedara", "text": "Hic Vibius Felix si tempora longa fuissent felix e\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph of Vibius Felix"}, {"coords": [36.5326, 10.4572], "id": 423, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/423", "long_id": "MPL00423", "place": "Tubernuc", "text": "Virgini, invide, vive et vide plura.", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Apotropaic inscription from Tubernuc"}, {"coords": [35.7984, 9.804], "id": 425, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/425", "long_id": "MPL00425", "place": "Cululis Theodoriana", "text": "Invide livide titula ta-nta quem adseveraba-s fier\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder.php?s_language=it\u0026bild=$CIL_08_23131.jpg;$CIL_08_23131_1.jpg;$CIL_08_23131_2.jpg\u0026nr=3", "title": "Apotropaic inscription from Cululis Theodoriana"}, {"coords": [36.6492, 10.591], "id": 434, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/434", "long_id": "MPL00434", "place": "Chul", "text": "Pos(itum) Car[o et Carino consulibus] III Idus I[u\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder.php?s_language=it\u0026bild=$AE_1975_00874.jpg", "title": "Votive inscription for Saturn"}, {"coords": [35.8259, 10.6388], "id": 442, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/442", "long_id": "MPL00442", "place": "Hadrumetum", "text": "Se[x] annos vi-xi(t) Florentia, iu\u003cn\u003eiora puella, \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Florentia"}, {"coords": [35.5649, 8.45424], "id": 254, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/254", "long_id": "MPL00254", "place": "Ammaedara", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) s(acrum) omnes vicisti spe-cie doc\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph for Iulia Paula"}, {"coords": [35.5649, 8.45424], "id": 255, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/255", "long_id": "MPL00255", "place": "Ammaedara", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) s(acrum) Mevia Felicitas vixit ann\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph for Mevia Felicitas"}, {"coords": [35.5649, 8.45424], "id": 2242, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2242", "long_id": "MPL02242", "place": "Ammaedara", "text": "EPIIIIIM[---], [S]er(vi) Corneli ((hedera)) Cethe[\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph of the slave of the proconsul Servius Cornelius Cethegus"}, {"coords": [36.1806, 8.7122], "id": 256, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/256", "long_id": "MPL00256", "place": "Sicca Veneria", "text": "Numidarum prima mulierum Plancina genere regio bo\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Altar for Plancina"}, {"coords": [36.1806, 8.7122], "id": 257, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/257", "long_id": "MPL00257", "place": "Sicca Veneria", "text": "Caninia L(uci) l(iberta) Rufa coniux M(arci) Livi \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Caninia Rufa "}, {"coords": [35.9311, 9.22417], "id": 831, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/831", "long_id": "MPL00831", "place": "Medoudja", "text": "Intus aqu(a)e dulces biboque (sic) sedilia saxa Ni\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Identification inscription from (Civitas A[---]) \u2013 Medoudja (Africa Proconsularis?) - HD015146"}, {"coords": [35.3938, 11.0429], "id": 833, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/833", "long_id": "MPL00833", "place": "Sullecthum", "text": "En perfecta cito baiaru(m) grata voluptas undantes\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Inscription from Sullectum \u2013 Hr. Sallakta (Africa Proconsularis) - HD015761"}, {"coords": [35.4998, 8.32253], "id": 835, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/835", "long_id": "MPL00835", "place": "El-Kouif", "text": "Mania L(uci) f(ilia) Secunda h(ic) s(ita) e(st) Ma\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Inscription from Le Konif (Africa Proconsularis) - HD016550"}, {"coords": [35.1677, 8.79776], "id": 1037, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/1037", "long_id": "MPL01037", "place": "Cillium", "text": "Sint licet exiguae fugentia tempora vitae parvaq(u\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Titus Flavius Secundus and other family members"}, {"coords": [36.5524, 9.44486], "id": 858, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/858", "long_id": "MPL00858", "place": "Tichilla", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) s(acrum) M(arcus) Antonius Rufus H\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Tichilla - Thubursicu Bure, inter \u2013 Testour - T\u00e9boursouk, zwischen (Africa Proconsularis) - HD023867"}]

Object Details

Object Type	slab
Material	marble
State of Preservation	complete
Dimensions	width: 31.0 cm height: 24.0 cm depth: unknown
Letter Size in cm (min)	1.3
Letter Size in cm (max)	2.1
Execution Technique	chiselled
Religion	Pagan

Decoration

Decoration and Iconography
Decoration Tags

Verse Layouts

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

Text

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

Inscription & Translations

Diplomatic Interpretative Verse Visualisation

DAPHNISEGOHERMETISCONIVNXSVMLIBERAFACTA

CVMDOMINVSVELLETPRIMVHERMESLIBERVTESSET
FATOEGOFACTAPRIORFATOEGORAPTAPRIOR

QVAETVLIQVODGEMVIGEMITVSVIROSAEPERELIQVI
5QVAEDOMINOINVITOVITAMDEDIPROXIMENATO

NVNCQVISALETNATVMQVISVITAELONGAMINISTRAT?
MESTYGAQVODRAPVITTAMCITOENIASVPEROS

PIAVIXITANNISXXVHSE

Daphnis ego Hermetis coniunx sum libera facta.

Cum dominus vellet primu Hermes liber ut esset,
fato ego facta prior, fato ego rapta prior.

Quae tuli, quod gemui gemitus viro saepe reliqui,
5quae domino invito vitam dedi proxime nato.

Nunc quis alet natum, quis vitae longa ministrat?
Me Styga quod rapuit tam cito eni<m> a superos.

Pia vixit annis XXV. H(ic) s(ita) e(st).

Daphnis ego Hermetis coniunx sum libera facta.

Cum dominus vellet primu Hermes liber ut esset,
fato ego facta prior, fato ego rapta prior.

Quae tuli, quod gemui gemitus viro saepe reliqui,
quae domino invito vitam dedi proxime nato.

Nunc quis alet natum, quis vitae longa ministrat?
Me Styga quod rapuit tam cito eni<m> a superos.

Pia vixit annis XXV. H(ic) s(ita) e(st).

Apparatus

l.7 reg., orig. superos

Text follows Hamdoune. Picture checked by Spalla 2025.
l. 2: primu(s) or primu(m), Engström. primu(s), CLE.
l. 4: gemui for genui, Bianchi.
l. 6: vitae longa for vitam longam, CLE.

Main Translation

Translation	I, Daphnis, Hermes’ wife, was freed. While my master wanted to free Hermes first, I was made free before, by fate, I was snatched away before, by fate. By embracing what I mourned, I left my husband with frequent mourning, as I just very recently gave life to a son, against the wish of my master. Who will now feed the son? Who will cater for him for the duration of his life? For death snatched me so quickly to the heavenly gods. She lived dutifully for 25 years. She is buried here.
Citation	P. Kruschwitz (The Petrified Muse)

Other Translations

Yo, esposa de Dafnis Hermes, he sido manumitida; aunque el patrón hubiera querido que Hermes fuese libre primero, por mano del destino lo fui yo antes y también por mano del destino he muerto antes. Yo, que soporté una situación tan lamentable, dejé más motivos de llanto aun para mi esposo, pues, sin quererlo mi señor, entregué mi vida a cambio de un hijo recién nacido. Y ahora ¿quién va a alimentar al niño?, ¿quién le va a proporcionar las cosas dulces de la vida? Pues la Éstige me arrancó de entre los vivos demasiado pronto. (Spanish, C. Fernández Martínez)
Moi, Daphnis, épuse d'Hermès, j'ai été libérée. Alors que le maître voulait qu'Hermès fût libre d'abord, le destin m'a libérée la première, le destin m'a enlevée la première. Mes souffrances, mes plaintes, je les ai laissées à mon mari, comme sujets d'incessantes plaintes, moi qui viens, contre le gré du maître, de donner vie à un fils. Qui maintenant va nourrir ce fils, qui va consacrer du temps pour qu'il vive, puisque en effet le Styx m'a si tôt ravie au monde d'en-haut ? Elle ha vécu pieusement vingt cinq ans. Elle se trouve ici. (French , C. Hamdoune)

Prosopographical Information

Name Daphnis
Gender Female
Age Range Adult (21–60) [expression: Canonical, precision: high]
Legal Status Freedman / Freedwoman
Role Dedicatee
Name Hermes
Gender Male
Role Dedicator

Name	Daphnis
Gender	Female
Age Range	Adult (21–60) [expression: Canonical, precision: high]
Legal Status	Freedman / Freedwoman
Role	Dedicatee

Name	Hermes
Gender	Male
Role	Dedicator

Further Information

Comment

Dating proposed by Lassère. Delattre 1898 proposes a dating to the beginning of the 2nd century AD. Bianchi proposes a dating to the 3rd century AD, based on mistakes in prosody.

Squeeze

Have Squeeze?	no

Dating

Date (From)	71 AD
Date (To)	100 AD
Date (Criteria)	formulae archaeology

Bibliography

CIL 08, Suppl. 04, 24734
CLE 02115
ILTun 00987
A. L. Delattre, Bulletin de la Société Nationale des Antiquaires de France. Séance du 16 Décembre, Bull. Soc. Ant. Fr. (1896), 347 - AE 1897 🔗 link
AE 1897, 00043
A. L. Delattre, Les cimetières romaines superposés de Carthage (1896) (Suite), Rev. Arch. 33 (1898), 338-339, nr. 21 (with photo, 338, fig. 1; also on alternative dating) 🔗 link
E. Bianchi, Carmina Latina Epigraphica Africana, Stud. It. Filol. Class. 18 (1910), 71-72 (also on alternative dating) 🔗 link
E. Engström, Carmina Latina Epigraphica (post editionem Buechelerianam in luce prolata), Gothenburg-Leipzig 1912, 96-97, nr. 296. 🔗 link
S. Brassloff, Manumissio post mortem?, Hermes 67, 2 (1932), 243. 🔗 link
F. A. Sullivan, Virgil and the Latin epitaphs, Class. Journ. (Georg.) 51, 1 (1955), 19. 🔗 link
J.-M. Lassère, Recherches sur la chronologie des épitaphes païennes de l'Africa, Ant. Afr. 7 (1973), 141 (on dating) 🔗 link
D. Pikhaus, Répertoire des inscriptions latines versifiées de l'Afrique romaine (Ier-VIe siècles), Vol. 1. Tripolitaine, Byzacène, Afrique Proconsulaire, Bruxelles 1994, 68, nr. A31. 🔗 link
C. Fernández Martínez, Poesía epigráfica latina II, Madrid 1999, 318-319, nr. 2115 (Spanish translation of ll. 1-7) 🔗 link
C. Hamdoune, Vie, mort et poésie dans l'Afrique romaine d'après un choix de Carmina Latina Epigraphica, Bruxelles 2011, 92-93, nr. 44 (with French translation and photo, tab. 15, fig. 15) 🔗 link
N. Benseddik, Femmes en Afrique ancienne, Bordeaux 2017, 124 (French translation) - AE 2017 🔗 link
AE 2017, 01671
EDCS-24900355 🔗 link
HD022661 🔗 link
MQDQ 🔗 link
SIRAR 3352 🔗 link
The Petrified Muse (with English translation) 🔗 link

Images

Epitaph of the freedwoman Daphnis by her husband Hermes.
Source: EDCS-24900355 (c) Clauss/Slaby

Editing History

Created	2025-10-10, by Denisa Murzea
Work Status	Complete
Import Notice

Revisions

by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-10-07 08:45
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-10-07 09:46
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-10-07 09:47
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-10-07 09:52
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-10-10 11:26

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