Inscriptions: Epitaph for Norbania Saturnina

Identification

Reference as:	MPL00253
Title	Epitaph for Norbania Saturnina
Trismegistos-No.	358072

Object

Provenance and Location

Find Place	Carthago
Find Context	In the Roman necropolis at Bir el Djebbana, the so-called 'cemetery of officialles', a small village on the outskirts of Tunis.
Latitude	0.0
Longitude	0.0
Current Location	Musée de Carthage
Inventory number
Current Location Details
Vicinity	[{"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": [36.85, 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/$CLE_02115.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of the freedwoman Daphnis by her husband Hermes"}, {"coords": [36.8531, 10.3231], "id": 429, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/429", "long_id": "MPL00429", "place": "Carthago", "text": "Eutitia hic felix fideli morte quiescet, eclesie q\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Eutitia"}, {"coords": [36.85, 10.318], "id": 2241, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2241", "long_id": "MPL02241", "place": "Carthago", "text": "Dis M(anibus) s(acrum). Tu, quicumq(ue) pius \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://cil.bbaw.de/ace/files/PH0010991.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of the imperial slave Severa by her husband"}, {"coords": [35.5651, 8.45248], "id": 390, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/390", "long_id": "MPL00390", "place": "Ammaedara", "text": "Hic Vibius Felix si tempora longa fuissent felix e\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph of Vibius Felix"}, {"coords": [36.5326, 10.4572], "id": 423, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/423", "long_id": "MPL00423", "place": "Tubernuc", "text": "Virgini, invide, vive et vide plura.", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Apotropaic inscription from Tubernuc"}, {"coords": [35.7984, 9.804], "id": 425, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/425", "long_id": "MPL00425", "place": "Cululis Theodoriana", "text": "Invide livide titula ta-nta quem adseveraba-s - f\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Apotropaic inscription from Cululis Theodoriana"}, {"coords": [36.6492, 10.591], "id": 434, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/434", "long_id": "MPL00434", "place": "Chul", "text": "Pos(itum) Car[o et Carino consulibus] III Idus I[u\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder.php?s_language=it\u0026bild=$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). \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription of Mania Secunda"}, {"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"}, {"coords": [35.241, 9.11899], "id": 2292, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2292", "long_id": "MPL02292", "place": "Sufetula", "text": "------? Marcellus hic qui-escit, medica nobi-lis \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://edcs.hist.uzh.ch/bilder/IL/ILPSbeitla_00065.jpg", "title": "Inscription for the doctor Marcellus"}]

Object Details

Object Type	slab
Material	marble
State of Preservation	complete
Dimensions	width: 27.0 cm height: 31.0 cm depth: unknown
Letter Size in cm (min)	1.3
Letter Size in cm (max)	2.5
Execution Technique	chiselled
Religion	Pagan

Decoration

Decoration and Iconography
Decoration Tags

Verse Layouts

Prose Verse Presence	Prose + Verse
Prose Verse Distinction	Yes, by bigger lettering in prose Yes, by different layout
Layout Types (Prose)	Centered
Layout Types (Verse)	Left aligned
Scriptio Continua in verse part	no
Abbreviations in verse part	no
Verse Line Correspondence	Yes

Text

Function	funerary inscription
Language(s)	Latin
Verse Type(s)	Dactylic hexameter
Rhythmisation

Inscription & Translations

Diplomatic Interpretative Verse Visualisation

DISMANIBSACR
NORBANIASATVRNINAPIA
ORTAVTFAMAPROBATMEMORANDADIVITEROMA
DVODECIESBINOSSVPERAVILVMINISANNOS
5BISSENVMEXNVMEROPARTEMQVAMDIXIMVSANNI
ETDECECONIVNCTISBISTERCVMFINEDIEBVS
CASTAPVDICITIAESERVAVITEMPORAVITAE
CONDITANVNCLIBYCAFELIXTELLVREQVIESCO
TVQVOQVEPRAETERIENSTVMVLVMQVIPERLEGISISTVM
10PARCEMEOSCINERESPEDIBVSCALCAREPROTERVIS:
SICTIBIABAETHERIASLVXMVLTASVPERFLVATAVRAS

Dis Manib(us) sacr(um)
Norbania Saturnina pia.
Orta, ut fama probat, memoranda divite Roma
Duodecies binos superavi luminis annos,
5Bis senum ex numero partem quam diximus anni
Et dece(m) coniunctis bis ter cum fine diebus.
Casta pudicitiae servavi tempora vitae.
Condita nunc Libyca felix tellure quiesco.
Tu quoque, praeteriens tumulum qui perlegis istum,
10Parce meos cineres pedibus calcare proteruis:
Sic tibi ab aetherias lux multa superfluat auras.

Dis Manib(us) sacr(um) Norbania Saturnina pia.
Orta, ut fama probat, memoranda divite Roma
Duodecies binos superavi luminis annos,
Bis senum ex numero partem quam diximus anni
Et dece(m) coniunctis bis ter cum fine diebus.
5Casta pudicitiae servavi tempora vitae.
Condita nunc Libyca felix tellure quiesco.
Tu quoque, praeteriens tumulum qui perlegis istum,
Parce meos cineres pedibus calcare proteruis:
Sic tibi ab aetherias lux multa superfluat auras.

Apparatus

l.5 quam orig., reg. quem
l.7 pudicitiae orig., reg. pudicitia
l.11 ab orig., reg. ad

Text follows Murzea 2025.
l. 7: casta pudicitiam Merlin 1944, 175 and Hamdoune 2011, 91.

Main Translation

Translation	Sacred to the Spirits of the Departed. Norbania Saturnina, the dutiful. Born, as public opinion proves, worthy of being remembered in wealthy Rome. I surpassed twelve times two (= 24) years of light (of the life), beyond what I said the twice-sixth part, in number terms, (= 1 month), and, finally, ten days, combined with another twice three of them (= 16 days). Chaste and bashful, I guarded every moment of my life. Now I rest blessed, buried in Libyan soil. And you, who are reading this as you pass by my tomb, spare my ashes from trampling with your insolent feet: thus may much light flow upon you from ethereal air.
Citation	Denisa Murzea

Other Translations

Consacré aux dieux Mânes.
Moi la pieuse Norbania Saturnina,
née, comme chacun le sait, dans Rome dont il faut célébrer la richesse,
j’ai dépassé deux fois douze années de vie,
et en plus du nombre que nous avons dit, deux fois la sixième partie d’une année,
et encore pour finir, dix et deux fois trois jours.
Chaste, j’ai gardé pour la pudeur tous les moments de ma vie.
Maintenant, c’est dans la terre de Lybie que je repose, bienveillante.
Et toi qui, en passant, lis l’inscription de ce tombeau,
évite de fouler mes cendres d’un pied impudent.
Et qu’ainsi pour toi au grand air de la vie déborde la lumière. (French , Christine Hamdoune)
Nacida, como lo prueba la opinión de todos, digna de ser recordada en la fecunda Roma, viví einticuatro años, un mes y dieciséis días. Con una virtud irreprochable me mantuve todos los momentos de mi vida. Ahora descanso feliz, enterrada en tierra libia. Y tú, que al pasar lees esta tumba, absténte de pisotear con pies insolentes mis cenizas: ojalá se derrame en abundancia sobre ti la luz de las auras etéreas. (Spanish, Fernández Martínez 1999)

Prosopographical Information

Name Norbania Saturnina
Gender Female
Age Range Adult (21–60) [expression: Canonical, precision: high]
Origin Foreign
Legal Status Roman citizen
Role Dedicatee

Name	Norbania Saturnina
Gender	Female
Age Range	Adult (21–60) [expression: Canonical, precision: high]
Origin	Foreign
Legal Status	Roman citizen
Role	Dedicatee

Further Information

Comment

Squeeze

Have Squeeze?	no

Dating

Date (From)	101 AD
Date (To)	200 AD
Date (Criteria)	archaeology formulae

Bibliography

CIL 08, 24787
CLE 01943
C. Hamdoune, Vie, mort et poésie dans l'Afrique romaine d'après un choix de Carmina Latina Epigraphica, Bruxelles 2011, no. 43. 🔗 link
ILTun 00989
J. Lassère, Recherches sur la chronologie des épitaphes païennes de l'Africa, Ant. Afr. 7 (1973), 7-152, no. 133 🔗 link
https://www.mqdq.it/textsce/CE|ce|1943 🔗 link
M. Butini, The Carmina Latina Epigraphica of Carthage. Edition, translation, and commentary, Seville 2024, 103–127. 🔗 link
D. Murzea, Femina et Carmina. Female Agency and Authorship in Roman Verse Inscriptions, Vienna 2025, 419, no. 219. 🔗 link
C. Fernández Martínez, Poesía epigráfica latina II, Madrid 1999, 264-265, no. 1943 (Spanish translation) 🔗 link

Images

Editing History

Created	2026-08-13, by Denisa Murzea
Work Status	Complete
Import Notice

Revisions

by Denisa Murzea
at 2023-09-06 16:40
by Denisa Murzea
at 2023-09-06 16:42
by Denisa Murzea
at 2026-04-08 20:27
by Denisa Murzea
at 2026-04-08 20:36
by Denisa Murzea
at 2026-04-09 09:44
by Denisa Murzea
at 2026-04-09 09:53
by Denisa Murzea
at 2026-04-09 09:54
by Denisa Murzea
at 2026-04-09 09:57
by Denisa Murzea
at 2026-04-09 12:39
by Denisa Murzea
at 2026-04-09 12:42
by Chiara Cenati
at 2026-04-09 17:05
by Anna Martelli
at 2026-08-13 13:34

Download

Download as XML