Inscriptions: Funerary inscription for Q. Aelius Apollonius

Identification

Reference as:	MPL00059
Title	Funerary inscription for Q. Aelius Apollonius
Trismegistos-No.	194331

Object

Provenance and Location

Find Place	Aquincum
Find Context
Latitude	0.0
Longitude	0.0
Current Location	Budapest, Aquincumi Múzeum
Inventory number	64.10.38
Current Location Details
Vicinity	[{"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 59, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/59", "long_id": "MPL00059", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "Memoriae Q(uinti) [Ael](ii) [ Apoll]oni mil(itis) \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://lupa.at/img/2908-3.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription for Q. Aelius Apollonius"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 53, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/53", "long_id": "MPL00053", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "Hic sita sum matrona, genus nomen-que Veturia Fort\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://lupa.at/img/3019-2.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription for Veturia"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 69, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/69", "long_id": "MPL00069", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "Clausa iacet lapidi coninux pia cara Sabina. Artib\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://lupa.at/img/3025-1.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription for Aelia Sabina"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 846, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/846", "long_id": "MPL00846", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "[Par]vus et exiguam lucem frunitus iniquae Parcae \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Aquincum \u2013 Budapest (Pannonia inferior) - HD018818"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 865, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/865", "long_id": "MPL00865", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) hic iacet ecce vides pupa sine fi\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Aquincum \u2013 Budapest (Pannonia inferior) - HD024858"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 906, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/906", "long_id": "MPL00906", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "[---]\u03b9\u03b5 [---] [---]\u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u03c2 \u03b4\u0027 \u1f10\u03c0\u03b9 [---] [---]\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03b6\u03b1\u03b8\u03b5\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Aquincum \u2013 Budapest (Pannonia inferior) - HD035863"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 907, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/907", "long_id": "MPL00907", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "Front: D(is) M(anibus) C(aio) Val(erio) Papirian\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://lupa.at/img/0294-3.jpg", "title": "Sarcophagus of C. Valerius Papirianus"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 908, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/908", "long_id": "MPL00908", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "\u039b\u1f73\u03b3\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u1f05 \u03b8\u1f73\u03bb\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03bb\u03b5\u03b3\u1f73\u03c4\u03c9\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd \u03bf\u1f50 \u03bc\u1f73\u03bb\u03b9 \u03bc\u03bf\u03b9 \u03c3\u03c5\u03c6\u1f77\u03bb\u03b9 \u03bc\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Identification inscription from Aquincum \u2013 Budapest (Pannonia inferior) - HD035889"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 1060, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/1060", "long_id": "MPL01060", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) et perpetu(a)e securitatem (sic) \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Aquincum \u2013 Budapest (Pannonia inferior) - HD068507"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 1061, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/1061", "long_id": "MPL01061", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "Francus ego cives Romanus miles in armis egregia v\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Aquincum \u2013 Budapest (Pannonia inferior) - HD068602"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 1062, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/1062", "long_id": "MPL01062", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "Q(uintus) Frendull-us Rufus Vicetinus vix(it) n(os\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Aquincum \u2013 Budapest (Pannonia inferior) - HD068603"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 1063, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/1063", "long_id": "MPL01063", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) s(acrum) Iovine fili quan-tos mi \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Aquincum \u2013 Budapest (Pannonia inferior) - HD068609"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 2073, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2073", "long_id": "MPL02073", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "Amore amanti s[i a]mas pignus.", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Fibula with love dedication found near Budapest "}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 2183, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2183", "long_id": "MPL02183", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "Hic qu(i)escunt duas matres duas filias numero tre\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://lupa.at/img/3024-1.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription set up by the veteran Iulius Herculanus"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 2211, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2211", "long_id": "MPL02211", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "Roma tibi subi[to moti-][bus ib]it a\u27e6mor\u27e7 Rotas\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Aquincum%2C_SATOR-Quadrat_aus_dem_Statthalterpalast.jpg", "title": "Sator square from Aquincum"}, {"coords": [47.5641, 19.0495], "id": 2253, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2253", "long_id": "MPL02253", "place": "Aquincum", "text": "Grate, qui fotues Gr(a)e\u2e22c\u2e23a(m) ancilla(m) Lupi op\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Graffito from Aquincum"}, {"coords": [47.6668, 19.064], "id": 840, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/840", "long_id": "MPL00840", "place": "Ulcisia Castra", "text": "Lubrica quassa levis [fragilis bona vel mala falla\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://lupa.at/img/D3164_G2.jpg", "title": "Epitaph by the poet Lupus"}, {"coords": [46.7655, 17.248], "id": 799, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/799", "long_id": "MPL00799", "place": "Valcum (Volgum)", "text": "Arma virumqua (sic) arma vi", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Vergilian quote on a tile"}, {"coords": [47.7133, 18.7885], "id": 800, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/800", "long_id": "MPL00800", "place": "Solva", "text": "Adque ea diversa penitus dum parte Irim de caelo m\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Literary quote on a brick"}, {"coords": [46.2531, 17.1006], "id": 1081, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/1081", "long_id": "MPL01081", "place": "Csurg\u00f3", "text": "------ S]aturne [---disc]ipulus ni(hi)l (a)era [mi\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Identification inscription from Csurg\u00f3 (Pannonia superior) - HD074881"}, {"coords": [47.7343, 18.1936], "id": 936, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/936", "long_id": "MPL00936", "place": "Brigetio", "text": "D(is) M(anibus). Val(erius) Ursinus ducenarius, q-\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://lupa.at/img/3493-1.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription for Valerius Ursinus and others"}, {"coords": [47.7343, 18.1936], "id": 937, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/937", "long_id": "MPL00937", "place": "Brigetio", "text": "Heu simul hic nata et genetrix functaeq(ue) sitaeq\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Brigetio \u2013 Kom\u00e1rom (Pannonia superior) - HD039614"}, {"coords": [47.7343, 18.1936], "id": 1078, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/1078", "long_id": "MPL01078", "place": "Brigetio", "text": "Vitula dulcis amor [se]mper suspiri nostri quod 5p\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Acclamation from Brigetio \u2013 Kom\u00e1rom (Pannonia superior) - HD074495"}, {"coords": [47.7343, 18.1936], "id": 2213, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2213", "long_id": "MPL02213", "place": "Brigetio", "text": "Leg(io) I Ad[iutrix ---]. Hoc die felice[s fra\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Christian inscription on a tile"}, {"coords": [46.1567, 17.8345], "id": 970, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/970", "long_id": "MPL00970", "place": "Szentl\u00e1szl\u00f3", "text": "1 R(ecensitum) (scil. opus est) idemq(ue) [probat\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$SEBarc_10_p234.jpg", "title": "Verse inscription on a brick"}, {"coords": [47.4983, 19.0404], "id": 971, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/971", "long_id": "MPL00971", "place": "Campona", "text": "[---]a[e] m\u0361emoria\u0361e [---] Hoc iacet in lapid\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://lupa.at/img/F2785_G1.jpg", "title": "Sarcophagus of Aurelia Marcellina"}, {"coords": [45.6661, 17.4333], "id": 976, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/976", "long_id": "MPL00976", "place": "Aquae Balissae", "text": "Tartareis ruptus fornac[ibus implicat om]nem perpe\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Aquae Balissae, bei \u2013 \u0110ulovac (Pannonia superior) - HD050387"}, {"coords": [46.9169, 17.519], "id": 977, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/977", "long_id": "MPL00977", "place": "Mogetiana", "text": "[\u2066 - - - - - - - - - - \u2069] [---]E(?)E[---] [qua?]m \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Mogetiana, bei \u2013 Hegyesd (Pannonia superior) - HD050390"}, {"coords": [47.09, 18.4205], "id": 884, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/884", "long_id": "MPL00884", "place": "Gorsium", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) tu qui festinas pe-dibus consiste \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Gorsium \u2013 T\u00e1c (Pannonia inferior) - HD032224"}, {"coords": [47.09, 18.4205], "id": 2212, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2212", "long_id": "MPL02212", "place": "Gorsium", "text": "D(is) [M(anibus)]. Hic iacet in tumu-lo Aur(e\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://lupa.at/img/D3587_G1.jpg", "title": "Funerary stele of Aurelia Sabina"}, {"coords": [46.0733, 18.2281], "id": 885, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/885", "long_id": "MPL00885", "place": "Sopianae", "text": "Ius ad iustitiam revocare aequ(u)mque tueri Dalmat\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Honorific inscription from Sopianae?, aus \u2013 Magyarb\u00f3ly, bei (Pannonia inferior) - HD032256"}, {"coords": [46.9755, 18.937], "id": 925, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/925", "long_id": "MPL00925", "place": "Intercisa", "text": "Hoc lapide tegitur Aurel(ia) Pia piissima con[iux]\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Intercisa \u2013 Duna\u00fajv\u00e1ros (Pannonia inferior) - HD037297"}, {"coords": [46.9755, 18.937], "id": 926, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/926", "long_id": "MPL00926", "place": "Intercisa", "text": "[Ha]ec quoq(ue) nomine Kara[---] [---]i post lustr\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Intercisa \u2013 Duna\u00fajv\u00e1ros (Pannonia inferior) - HD037385"}, {"coords": [46.9755, 18.937], "id": 2214, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2214", "long_id": "MPL02214", "place": "Intercisa", "text": "Utere felex, Severe, coni(ux) du(lcissime), somnis\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://lupa.at/img/9739-1.jpg", "title": "Funerary text on an anepigraphic slab"}, {"coords": [46.9755, 18.937], "id": 2215, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2215", "long_id": "MPL02215", "place": "Intercisa", "text": "------ -[---] optamus cunc-ti sit tibi terra levi\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://lupa.at/img/3584-2.jpg", "title": "Fragmentary funerary inscription from Intercisa"}, {"coords": [47.9406, 17.0694], "id": 2129, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2129", "long_id": "MPL02129", "place": "Nickelsdorf", "text": "Si me amas spes amor.", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Fibula with love dedication from Nickelsdorf"}]

Object Details

Object Type	sarcophagus
Material	limestone
State of Preservation	complete
Dimensions	width: 234.0 cm height: 87.0 cm depth: 112.0 cm
Letter Size in cm (min)	0.0
Letter Size in cm (max)	0.0
Execution Technique	chiselled
Religion	Pagan

Decoration

Decoration and Iconography	The inscribed text, surrounded by a frame, is flanked by two figures of winged boys on a low pedestal, leaning on lowered torches (mourning genii). The text consists of two distinctive parts: a prose prescript (ll. 1–3) and a poem of ten hexameters (ll. 4–14) and with an acrostic: Lupus fecit.
Decoration Tags	God / Genius

Verse Layouts

Prose Verse Presence	Praescriptum + carmen
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	Yes

Text

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

Inscription & Translations

Diplomatic Interpretative Verse Visualisation

MEMORIAEQ[]ONIMILCOHNOVESVRORSTIPIII
VIXANNXXAELIAMARCIAMATERFILIODVLCISSIMOETAELIA
APOLLONIASOROREIVSFACIENDVMCVRAVERVNT

LVBRICAQVASSALEVISFRAGILISBONAVELMALAFALLAX
5VITADATAESTHOMININONCERTOLIMITECRETAE
PERVARIOSCASVSTENVATOSTAMINEPENDES
VIVITOMORTALISDVMDVMDANTTIBITEMPORAPARCE
SEVTERVRATENENTVRBESSEVCASTRAVELEQVOR
FLORESAMAVENERISCERERISBONAMVNERACARPE
10ETNYSYILARGAETPINGVIADONAMINERVAE
CANDIDAVITACOLEIVSTISSIMAMENTESERENVS
IAMPVERETIVENISIAMVIRETFESSVSABANNIS:
TALISERISTVMVLOSVPERVMQVEOBLITVSHONORES

Memoriae Q(uinti) [Ael](ii) [ Apoll]oni mil(itis) coh(ortis) (miliariae) nov(a)e Suror(um) stip(endiorum) III
vix(it) ann(os) XX. Aelia Marcia, mater filio dulcissimo, et Aelia
Apollonia, soror eius faciendum curaverunt.

Lubrica quassa levis fragilis bona vel mala fallax
5Vita data est homini; non certo limite cretae,
Per varios casus tenuato stamine pendes.
Vivito mortalis dum{dum} dant tibi tempora Parc(a)e;
Seu te rura tenent, urbes, seu castra vel (a)equor,
Flores ama Veneris, Cereris bona munera carpe
10Et Nys{y}i larga et pinguia dona Minervae.
Candida(m) vita(m) cole iustissima mente, serenus,
Iam puer et iu(v)enis iam vir et fessus ab annis:
Talis eris tumulo superumque oblitus honores.

Memoriae Q(uinti) [Ael](ii) [ Apoll]oni mil(itis) coh(ortis) (miliariae) nov(a)e Suror(um) stip(endiorum) III vix(it) ann(os) XX. Aelia Marcia, mater filio dulcissimo, et Aelia Apollonia, soror eius faciendum curaverunt.

Lubrica quassa levis fragilis bona vel mala fallax
Vita data est homini; non certo limite cretae,
Per varios casus tenuato stamine pendes.
Vivito mortalis dum{dum} dant tibi tempora Parc(a)e;
Seu te rura tenent, urbes, seu castra vel (a)equor,
Flores ama Veneris, Cereris bona munera carpe
Et Nys{y}i larga et pinguia dona Minervae.
Candida(m) vita(m) cole iustissima mente, serenus,
Iam puer et iu(v)enis iam vir et fessus ab annis:
Talis eris tumulo superumque oblitus honores.

Apparatus

Main Translation

Translation	To the memory of Quintus Aelius Apollonius, soldier of the cohors milliaria nova Surorum. He served for 3 years, lived for 20. Aelia Marcia, his mother, and Aelia Apollonia, his sister, had this made for her dearest son. Inconstant, battered, light, fragile, deceitful, good or bad, is the life that is given to man, with no defined line of chalk,3773 hanging between various disasters on a dwindling thread. Live, mortal, while the Fates give you time, either the countryside or the cities or the camps or the seas hold you. Love the flowers of Venus, seize the good gifts of Ceres and the bounty of Bacchus and the fertile gifts of Minerva. Cultivate a bright life, cheerful with the fairest mind. Now a boy, and a young man, now a man, and tired by the years. You will be like this in a tomb, and forget the honours of the living.
Citation	Faithfull 2024

Other Translations

To the memory of Quintus Aelius Apollonius, soldier of the cohors miliaria nova Surorum, in military service for three years and lived for 20 years. Aelia Marcia, mother of the dear son and Aelia Apollonia, his sister took care of the monument.
To a man is given life that is slippery, shaky, fleeting, fragile, good or bad, treacherous, hanging on a slender thread through a variety of chances with no clearly-marked finishing-post. Live to the full, mortal, while the Fates grant you time, whether the country embraces you or cities or a military camp or the sea. Love the flowers of Venus, pluck the benign gifts of Ceres and the generous gifts of Bacchus and the viscous gifts of Athena; cultivate a serene life, calm because of your clear conscience. Speedily a boy and a youth, speedily a man and then worn out by old age, you will be like this in the tomb, with no memory of the honours of men alive on earth. (English, Courtney 1995)

Prosopographical Information

Name Quintus Aelius Apollonius
Gender Male
Age Range Subadult (13–20) [expression: Canonical, precision: high]
Profession Military staff
Role Dedicatee
Name Aelia Marcia
Gender Female
Role Dedicator
Name Aelia Apollonia
Gender Female
Role Dedicator

Name	Quintus Aelius Apollonius
Gender	Male
Age Range	Subadult (13–20) [expression: Canonical, precision: high]
Profession	Military staff
Role	Dedicatee

Name	Aelia Marcia
Gender	Female
Role	Dedicator

Name	Aelia Apollonia
Gender	Female
Role	Dedicator

Further Information

Comment

The same inscription can be found at MPL00840 and MPL02156.

Squeeze

Have Squeeze?	no

Dating

Date (From)	201 AD
Date (To)	250 AD
Date (Criteria)	archaeology formulae history

Bibliography

CLEPann 00038
TitAq 02, 00512
CLE 02614
P. Cugusi, Per un nuovo corpus dei Carmina Latina Epigraphica, Materiali e discussioni, Roma 2007, 175. 🔗 link
E. Courtney, Musa lapidaria. A selection of Latin verse inscriptions, Atlanta 1995, 199 (with English translation) 🔗 link
HD019352 🔗 link
MQDQ 🔗 link
https://lupa.at/2908 🔗 link
Cf. C. Gabrielli, Firme di autore ai confini dell’impero romano: la fortuna del poeta Lupus. In: G. Baratta (ed.), FECIT: firme di artisti ed artigiani nel mondo antico. Scritti in onore di Alfredo Buonopane, Roma 2024. 🔗 link
P. Faithfull, War and Peace. Military Lives and Identities in Latin Verse Inscriptions., Vienna 2024, 692. 🔗 link

Images

Editing History

Created	2025-11-18, by Denisa Murzea
Work Status	Complete
Import Notice

Revisions

by Denisa Murzea
at 2024-03-01 13:55
by Denisa Murzea
at 2024-03-01 14:06
by Denisa Murzea
at 2024-03-01 14:10
by Denisa Murzea
at 2024-03-01 14:17
by Denisa Murzea
at 2024-03-01 14:18
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-03-19 12:57
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-03-19 12:59
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-03-19 13:07
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:35
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:35
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:35
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:35
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:35
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:35
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:36
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:36
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:36
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:36
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:36
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:36
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:36
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:36
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:36
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:36
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:36
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-14 12:37
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-17 15:21
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-04-17 15:53
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-11-06 08:16
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-11-06 08:17
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-11-06 08:18
by Anna Pokorny
at 2025-11-18 14:00
by Anna Pokorny
at 2025-11-18 14:01
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-11-18 14:10

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