Inscriptions: Dedication of balnea by Aelius Tertius to the memory of his wife

Identification

Reference as:	MPL00384
Title	Dedication of balnea by Aelius Tertius to the memory of his wife
Trismegistos-No.	192648

Object

Provenance and Location

Find Place	Singidunum
Find Context	Ulica Kralja Petra 5 (before 7 Jula)
Latitude	0.0
Longitude	0.0
Current Location	unknown
Inventory number
Current Location Details	Moved to the National Museum after the discovery. Lost after the Second World War.
Vicinity	[{"coords": [44.813, 20.4579], "id": 384, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/384", "long_id": "MPL00384", "place": "Singidunum", "text": "Alma lavacrorum de sa[xis deci]do lympha Et sunt e\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Dedication of balnea by Aelius Tertius to the memory of his wife"}, {"coords": [44.813, 20.4579], "id": 829, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/829", "long_id": "MPL00829", "place": "Singidunum", "text": "D(is) [M(anibus)] quisqu[is iter carpis] haec qu(a\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Singidunum \u2013 Beograd, Stari Grad (Moesia superior) - HD014666"}, {"coords": [44.813, 20.4579], "id": 901, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/901", "long_id": "MPL00901", "place": "Singidunum", "text": "In[p]ia fata mea Falconi [morte?morte] qui plus no\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Singidunum \u2013 Beograd (Moesia superior) - HD035480"}, {"coords": [44.813, 20.4579], "id": 920, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/920", "long_id": "MPL00920", "place": "Singidunum", "text": "\u039e\u1f73\u03bd\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c4\u03b1\u03c6\u1f70\u03bd \u03c4\u1f71\u03bd-\u03b4\u03b5 \u03b5\u1f30\u03c3\u03bf\u03c1\u1fb6\u03c4\u03b5 \u1f40\u03c1\u03b5\u03c9-\u03ba\u1f79\u03bc\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f0d\u03b4\u03b1\u03c2 \u03b4\u0027 \u1f10\u03c0\u03b5\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Singidunum \u2013 Beograd, Vra\u010dar (Moesia superior) - HD036705"}, {"coords": [45.0, 21.0], "id": 963, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/963", "long_id": "MPL00963", "place": "Tibiscum", "text": "D (is) M (anibus) terra te-net corpus no-men lapis\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://lupa.at/img/17552.jpg", "title": "Epitaph from Tibiscum \u2013 Caransebe\u015f (Dacia) "}, {"coords": [44.9664, 19.6101], "id": 897, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/897", "long_id": "MPL00897", "place": "Sirmium", "text": "[\u2066 - - - - - - - - - - \u2069] [---]are ipso [---] nutr\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Sirmium \u2013 Sremska Mitrovica (Pannonia inferior) - HD034845"}, {"coords": [44.9664, 19.6101], "id": 997, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/997", "long_id": "MPL00997", "place": "Sirmium", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) [\u2066 - - - - - - - - - - \u2069] XXXVII \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Sirmium \u2013 Sremska Mitrovica (Pannonia inferior) - HD057035"}, {"coords": [44.9664, 19.6101], "id": 1082, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/1082", "long_id": "MPL01082", "place": "Sirmium", "text": "Protinus Ae-neas procedere longius iras", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Identification inscription from Sirmium \u2013 Sremska Mitrovica (Pannonia inferior) - HD074987"}, {"coords": [43.385, 19.6467], "id": 1020, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/1020", "long_id": "MPL01020", "place": "Prijepolje", "text": "D(ianae) A(ugustae) s(acrum) T(itus) Aur(elius) Sa\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Votive inscription from Prijepolje (Dalmatia) - HD062111"}, {"coords": [43.6411, 22.2654], "id": 887, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/887", "long_id": "MPL00887", "place": "Timacum Minus", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) T(itus) Iul(ius) Satur-nin(us) vet\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription of T. Iulius Saturninus and Ovidia Pudentilla"}, {"coords": [43.5148, 18.6262], "id": 892, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/892", "long_id": "MPL00892", "place": "Fo\u010da", "text": "Cas[---] Fl(avius) Res[---] et Aurel[ius?---Oc-]ta\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Fo\u010da (Dalmatia) - HD033832"}, {"coords": [44.7266, 21.1914], "id": 904, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/904", "long_id": "MPL00904", "place": "Viminacium", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) vivite felices nostris-que profund\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Sevia Aquilina set up by Surelius Marinus"}, {"coords": [44.7266, 21.1914], "id": 909, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/909", "long_id": "MPL00909", "place": "Viminacium", "text": "Lupus anemola (sic) (h)ic (h)ave-tat (sic) quot (s\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Viminacium \u2013 Kostolac, bei (Moesia superior) - HD036086"}, {"coords": [44.7266, 21.1914], "id": 910, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/910", "long_id": "MPL00910", "place": "Viminacium", "text": "Front ------ -[---]+ terra quam pro\u0323-[c]ul a p\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$Ninkovic-2019_00040_1.jpg", "title": "Funerary altar for Petronia"}, {"coords": [44.7266, 21.1914], "id": 912, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/912", "long_id": "MPL00912", "place": "Viminacium", "text": "[\u2066 - - - - - - - - - - \u2069] [---]a XIX cuius post ob\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Viminacium \u2013 Kostolac, bei (Moesia superior) - HD036119"}, {"coords": [44.7266, 21.1914], "id": 922, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/922", "long_id": "MPL00922", "place": "Viminacium", "text": "[---]\u03bf\u03bd \u1f45\u03bc\u03bf\u03b9\u03bf [---]\u0399\u039d\u0391\u03a1\u0397 [---]\u03b9\u03b4\u03b7 [---]\u03b1\u03c2 \u1f15\u03bd[\u03b5\u03ba\u03b5\u03bd \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Inscription from Viminacium \u2013 Kostolac (Moesia superior) - HD036809"}, {"coords": [44.7266, 21.1914], "id": 2257, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2257", "long_id": "MPL02257", "place": "Viminacium", "text": "Parvolus hic situs est Ulp(ius) Iovinus nomine qui\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription of Parvolus"}, {"coords": [44.7266, 21.1914], "id": 2258, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2258", "long_id": "MPL02258", "place": "Viminacium", "text": "Sulpitus posuit. Sabinianus pro(te)ctor ortus in p\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for the protector Sabinianus"}, {"coords": [44.7266, 21.1914], "id": 2259, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2259", "long_id": "MPL02259", "place": "Viminacium", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) Aur(elius) Vitalis veter(anus) ex \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription of Aurelius Vitalis and Aurelia Macedonia"}, {"coords": [43.3163, 21.8939], "id": 905, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/905", "long_id": "MPL00905", "place": "Naissus", "text": "[---] Aurel(ius) Bani[---] [in]nocuus vi[r---] [--\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph? from Naissus \u2013 Ni\u0161, Crveni Krst (Moesia superior) - HD035842"}, {"coords": [45.4663, 22.1892], "id": 962, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/962", "long_id": "MPL00962", "place": "Tibiscum", "text": "[D(is) M(anibus)?] Publi Aeli Ulpi [v]et(erani) e\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://mappola.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/MPL-RO-006-39-Kopie-scaled.jpg", "title": "Funerary monument of the veteran P. Aelius Ulpius"}, {"coords": [45.4663, 22.1892], "id": 964, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/964", "long_id": "MPL00964", "place": "Tibiscum", "text": "[\u2066 - - - - - - - - - - \u2069] [quem Nilotica ripa suu]\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Tibiscum \u2013 Caransebe\u015f (Dacia) - HD046573"}, {"coords": [44.5197, 20.5736], "id": 921, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/921", "long_id": "MPL00921", "place": "Sopot", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) \u1f0c\u03be\u03b9\u03bf\u03bd \u1f25\u03b3\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1[\u1f77 \u03bc\u03b5] \u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u1f60\u03ba\u1f7b\u03bc\u03bf\u03c1\u03bf\u03bd, \u03c0[\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Beograd, Sopot (Moesia superior) - HD036734"}, {"coords": [44.6912, 21.0617], "id": 2256, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2256", "long_id": "MPL02256", "place": "Margum", "text": "L(ucio) Valerio Sex(ti) f(ilio) Vol(tinia) Serano \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary monument of L. Valerius Seranus"}]

Object Details

Object Type	slab
Material	marble
State of Preservation
Dimensions	width: 61.0 cm height: 40.0 cm depth: unknown
Letter Size in cm (min)	0.0
Letter Size in cm (max)	0.0
Execution Technique	chiselled
Religion	Pagan

Decoration

Decoration and Iconography
Decoration Tags

Verse Layouts

Text

Function	building / dedicatory inscription
Language(s)	Latin
Verse Type(s)	Dactylic hexameter
Rhythmisation	Quantitative scheme

Inscription & Translations

Diplomatic Interpretative Verse Visualisation

ALMALAVACRORVMDESA[]DOLYMPHA
ETSVNTEXLAPIDEPERFECTA[]EPVLCHRAE
LAETISINQVELOCISNATVSLA[]TAMENIPSIS
TVNCCVMSOSPESERATCONIVXS[]INVSVM
5EMERITISQVONDAMALEXANDR[]NOMINEDIGNAE
RAVCISONILAPIDOSOCADVNT[]NTELIQVORES
TAMLAVDATIOPERISDOMINVSVE[---]ETAVCTOR
INSVAEMEMORIAMVOLVITCON[]MARITAE
VTTAMENETLECTORNOMENCOG[]REPOSSIS
10SINGVLAEDECLARANTEXORDIAL[]AEPRIMAE:
AELIACVMTERTIASVBOLEDECONIVGE[]TA

AELTERTIVS

Alma lavacrorum de sa[xis deci]do lympha
Et sunt ex lapide perfecta[e balnea]e pulchrae
Laetis inque locis natus la[cus. Haec] tamen ipsis
Tunc cum sospes erat coniux s[acravit] in usum
5Emeritis quondam Alexandr[i] nomine dignae.
Raucisoni lapidoso cadunt [iam fo]nte liquores.
Tam laudati operis dominus ve[---] et auctor
In suae memoriam voluit con[secrare] maritae.
Ut tamen et lector nomen cog[nosce]re possis,
10Singulae declarant exordia l[itter]ae primae:
Aelia cum Tertia subole de coniuge [cas]ta

Ael(ius) Tertius.

Alma lavacrorum de sa[xis deci]do lympha
Et sunt ex lapide perfecta[e balnea]e pulchrae
Laetis inque locis natus la[cus. Haec] tamen ipsis
Tunc cum sospes erat coniux s[acravit] in usum
Emeritis quondam Alexandr[i] nomine dignae.
Raucisoni lapidoso cadunt [iam fo]nte liquores.
Tam laudati operis dominus ve[---] et auctor
In suae memoriam voluit con[secrare] maritae.
Ut tamen et lector nomen cog[nosce]re possis,
Singulae declarant exordia l[itter]ae primae:
Aelia cum Tertia subole de coniuge [cas]ta

Ael(ius) Tertius.

Apparatus

Main Translation

Translation	I, the nourishing water of the baths, fall down from rocks and the beautiful bathing pools were made from that stone, as the cistern is also born in this joyous place. However, [...] then a wife, when she was safe and sound, formerly dedicated this to the use of the veterans [who served] under the worthy name of Alexander. The hoarse-sounding waters [...] fall over the stoney spring. The [...] master and author of such an excellent work wanted to dedicate it in memory of his wife. However, so that you, the reader, are able to know his name, the first individual letters at the beginning [of each line] reveal it. With Aelia Tertia, the chaste child [he had] with his wife.
Citation	Faithfull 2024

Other Translations

Als Nährerin der Bäder springe ich von den Felsen herunter, die Quellflut, und es sind aus Stein schöne Schwimmbecken worden, und an dem erfreulichen Ort ist ein Bassin entstanden. Dies [alles] hat damals, als sie noch wohlbehalten war, die Gattin zum Gebrauch reserviert allein für die einstmals Ausgedienten der „Alexandrischen“ <Legion>, die ihren Namen verdient. Dumpf tönend fallen die Wasser von der steinigen Quelle herab. Des so gelobten Werkes, Herr […] und Erbauer wollte es zum Andenken seiner Ehegattin errichten. Damit du dennoch, Leser, auch seinen Namen erkennen kannst, verkünden ihn die [Vers-] Anfänge, die einzelnen Anfangsbuchstaben. Zusammen mit Aelia Tertia, der Tochter von seiner sittenreinen Gattin. Aelius Tertius (German, S. Busch, Versus Balnearum. Die antike Dichtung über Bäder und Baden im römischen Reich, Stuttgart 1999.)
I, the refreshing water of the baths, fall from rocks, and a handsome bath-house has been constructed from stone, and a pool has come into being in a delightful situation. However a married woman, while she was still alive, set me aside (?) for the use of old-timer veterans alone of Alexander's legion, worthy of its name. Plashing waters fall from a rocky spring. The owner and developer of the construction that has won such praise desired it to be established as a memorial to his wife. However, so that you also, reader, may be able to ascertain her name, the individual initial letters reveal it. With Aelia Tertia, his daughter by his (chaste?) wife (Fausta?). Aelius Tertius (English, E. Courtney, Musa Lapidaria. A Selection of Latin Verse Inscriptions. Atlanta/Georgia 1995.)
I, the clear spring Water, nurturer of every bath, fall down from these rocks, so that a beautiful bath, made of stone, could be built, and a pond could rise in this delightful landscape. This was once consecrated by a husband, on the occasion of his recovery, for the use of the veterans belonging to the legion worthy of the name of Alexander (Severus). (6) Hear the hoarse-resounding clear water falling from its rocky spring! The renowned donor and builder of this highly praised construction wanted to dedicate it to the memory of his wife. And in order that you too, reader, may learn his name, the first letter of each verse, the beginnings, will tell you: Ael(ius) Tertius, with Aelia Tertia, daughter of his spouse Fausta (English, M. Marcovich, CIL III 6306 = 8153 (Singidunum) Revisited, ZPE 56 (1984), 231–236.)

Prosopographical Information

Name Aelius Tertius
Gender Male
Age Range Adult (21–60)
Romans 1by1 Link http://romans1by1.com/rpeople/9621
Role Dedicator
Name Aelia Tertia
Gender Female
Romans 1by1 Link http://romans1by1.com/rpeople/9622
Role Dedicator

Name	Aelius Tertius
Gender	Male
Age Range	Adult (21–60)
Romans 1by1 Link	http://romans1by1.com/rpeople/9621
Role	Dedicator

Name	Aelia Tertia
Gender	Female
Romans 1by1 Link	http://romans1by1.com/rpeople/9622
Role	Dedicator

Further Information

Comment

Squeeze

Have Squeeze?	no

Dating

Date (From)	222 AD
Date (To)	250 AD
Date (Criteria)	formulae history

Bibliography

CIL 03, 06306
CIL 03, 08153
CLE 00273
ILJug-01-00020
IMS-01, 00048
CLEMoes 00020
M. Marcovich, CIL III 6306 = 8153 (Singidunum) Revisited, ZPE (1984), 231-236 - AE 1987 🔗 link
AE 1987, 00852
F. Papazoglu, Још једном о епиграму CIL III 8153, Živa Antika (1971), 435-441 - AE 1973 🔗 link
AE 1973, 00470
S. Busch, Versus Balnearum. Die antike Dichtung über Bäder und Baden im römischen Reich, Stuttgart-Leipzig 1999, 266-268 🔗 link
HD011462 🔗 link
P. Faithfull, War and Peace. Military Lives and Identities in Latin Verse Inscriptions., Vienna 2024. 🔗 link

Images

Editing History

Created	2025-12-02, by Chiara Cenati
Work Status	Complete
Import Notice

Revisions

by Chiara Cenati
at 2023-08-15 09:46
by Chiara Cenati
at 2023-08-15 10:03
by Chiara Cenati
at 2023-08-15 10:15
by Chiara Cenati
at 2023-08-15 10:19
by Chiara Cenati
at 2023-08-15 10:28
by Chiara Cenati
at 2023-08-15 10:33
by Chiara Cenati
at 2023-08-15 10:35
by Chiara Cenati
at 2023-08-15 10:41
by Chiara Cenati
at 2023-08-16 09:23
by Alexander Gangoly
at 2023-08-17 12:39
by Alexander Gangoly
at 2023-08-17 12:40
by Alexander Gangoly
at 2023-08-17 12:41
by Alexander Gangoly
at 2023-08-17 12:45
by Anna Pokorny
at 2025-12-02 13:01
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-12-02 19:56

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