Inscriptions: Sarcophagus of Aelius Iulius Iulianus

Identification

Reference as:	MPL00841
Title	Sarcophagus of Aelius Iulius Iulianus
Trismegistos-No.	178866

Object

Provenance and Location

Find Place	Romula
Find Context	The monument was discovered in 1952, near the Drumul lui Traian, a Roman road, south-east of the city walls.
Latitude	44.1732
Longitude	24.3932
Current Location	Caracal, Muzeul Romanațiului
Inventory number	1135
Current Location Details
Vicinity	[{"coords": [44.1732, 24.3932], "id": 841, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/841", "long_id": "MPL00841", "place": "Romula", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) Ael(io) Iul(io) Iuliano dec(uri\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Sarcophagus of Aelius Iulius Iulianus"}, {"coords": [44.1742, 24.3972], "id": 97, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/97", "long_id": "MPL00097", "place": "Romula", "text": "D(is) M(anibus). Ael(io) Iul(io) Iuliano dec(urion\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://cil.bbaw.de/ace/id/KO0035564", "title": "Funerary inscription for Aelius Iulius Iulianus"}, {"coords": [44.1742, 24.3972], "id": 818, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/818", "long_id": "MPL00818", "place": "Romula", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) s(acrum) L(ucius) Annius Octavius \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Romula \u2013 Dobrosloveni (Dacia) - HD006282"}, {"coords": [45.5167, 22.7853], "id": 131, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/131", "long_id": "MPL00131", "place": "Sarmizegetusa", "text": "D(is) M(anibus). Hic pietatis honos, haec sunt p\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Marcellina"}, {"coords": [45.5167, 22.7853], "id": 140, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/140", "long_id": "MPL00140", "place": "Sarmizegetusa", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) His tegitur terris Antonia quam ge\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Antonia"}, {"coords": [45.9083, 22.8065], "id": 136, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/136", "long_id": "MPL00136", "place": "Micia (Ve\u021bel)", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) Aelia Hygia vixit annos XVIII Ael(\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://mappola.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/MPL-RO-013-4-scaled.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription for Aelia Hygia"}, {"coords": [45.9083, 22.8065], "id": 954, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/954", "long_id": "MPL00954", "place": "Micia (Ve\u021bel)", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) Aelia Hygia vixit annis XVIII Ael(\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Micia \u2013 Ve\u0163el (Dacia) - HD045444"}, {"coords": [43.4087, 23.2261], "id": 137, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/137", "long_id": "MPL00137", "place": "Montana", "text": "Cum primum veni Monta-nis et Numina vidi, deabus 5\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Votive altar dedicated by Mallia Aemiliana"}, {"coords": [43.4087, 23.2261], "id": 348, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/348", "long_id": "MPL00348", "place": "Montana", "text": "Apollini et Dianae Appius Cl(audius) Martialis [A]\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Altar to Diana and Apollo dedicated by Appius Claudius Martialis"}, {"coords": [43.704, 24.4739], "id": 203, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/203", "long_id": "MPL00203", "place": "Oescus", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) S(extus) Vibius Valen[s] immere(n)\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary stele of S. Vibius Valens"}, {"coords": [43.704, 24.4739], "id": 204, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/204", "long_id": "MPL00204", "place": "Oescus", "text": "------ [---]M[---] [---ex]imio construxit [---] v\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Fragmentary funerary inscription on a column"}, {"coords": [43.704, 24.4739], "id": 206, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/206", "long_id": "MPL00206", "place": "Oescus", "text": "------ [---]am debe[---] [---] tibi fatis ia[---]\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Fragmentary funerary stele from Oescus"}, {"coords": [43.7053, 24.8952], "id": 207, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/207", "long_id": "MPL00207", "place": "Nikopol", "text": "[D](is) [ M(anibus?)] et b(onae) m(emoriae). Front\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Sarcophagus of Aelia dedicated by the dispensator Augustorum Fronto"}, {"coords": [43.6072, 25.394], "id": 208, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/208", "long_id": "MPL00208", "place": "Novae", "text": "I(ovi) O(ptimo) M(aximo) Depulsori pro salute d(om\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Dedication to Iuppiter Depulsor set up by the C. Baienius Ianuarius"}, {"coords": [43.6072, 25.394], "id": 218, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/218", "long_id": "MPL00218", "place": "Novae", "text": "\u0398(\u03b5\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2) \u039a(\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03c7\u03b8\u03bf\u03bd\u03af\u03bf\u03b9\u03c2). \u039f\u1f54\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03ac \u03bc\u03bf\u03b9 \u0392\u03b1\u03c3\u03b9\u03bb\u03b5\u03cd\u03c2 \u03ba\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary stele of Basileus"}, {"coords": [43.3, 25.2667], "id": 209, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/209", "long_id": "MPL00209", "place": "Nedan", "text": "[Hanc mortis sedem exstr]uxit sibi vivus amicus qu\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription of Muciana and Aurelius Dizze"}, {"coords": [43.3167, 24.0667], "id": 2, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2", "long_id": "MPL00002", "place": "Chomakovtsi", "text": "D(is) M(anibus). Have viator. Si stu-diosus es sis\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary stele of the praetorian soldier Aurelius Longinus"}, {"coords": [43.4, 24.2], "id": 263, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/263", "long_id": "MPL00263", "place": "Glava", "text": "Tu viator qui tr -ansis, rest(a), leg(e) tit(ulu\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary stele by the veteran Valerius Tzita"}, {"coords": [43.3046, 23.4211], "id": 264, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/264", "long_id": "MPL00264", "place": "Vorovum minor", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) Val(erius) Rufus vet(eranus) ex vi\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for the veteran Valerius Rufus"}, {"coords": [43.2425, 24.036], "id": 303, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/303", "long_id": "MPL00303", "place": "Reselets", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) [Resta,] viator, et [hoc (?) l]ege\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary stele set up by P. Aelius Firmus"}, {"coords": [43.35, 24.1333], "id": 306, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/306", "long_id": "MPL00306", "place": "Koynare", "text": "[D(is) M(anibus)]. Viator qui trans-[is, r]est(a),\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary stele set up by Maximus"}, {"coords": [43.25, 25.0], "id": 341, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/341", "long_id": "MPL00341", "place": "Melta / Chavdartsi ", "text": "D(is) M(anibus). Siste viator iter animum[que \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription made by Florens for his wife"}, {"coords": [43.35, 25.5], "id": 342, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/342", "long_id": "MPL00342", "place": "Obedinenie", "text": "D(is) M(anibus). Si modo sunt Ma-nes, sentiant\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary stele of L. Spurennius Rufus"}, {"coords": [42.7042, 23.7711], "id": 830, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/830", "long_id": "MPL00830", "place": "Gorna Malina", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) Hic ego ia-cio (sic) infelix no-m\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Gorna Malina (Thracia) - HD014687"}, {"coords": [42.1893, 25.5538], "id": 1038, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/1038", "long_id": "MPL01038", "place": "Pizus", "text": "\u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u1fc6\u03b9 \u03c4\u1f7b\u03c7\u03b7\u03b9 \u03c3\u03b5 \u03a0\u03b1\u03b9\u1f70\u03bd \u03a0\u03b9\u03b6\u03b7\u03bd\u03b5 \u1fec\u03bf\u03b9\u03bc\u03b7\u03c4\u1f71\u03bb\u03ba\u03b7\u03c2 \u03c3\u03c4\u03c1\u1f71\u03c4\u03c9\u03c1 \u1f10\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Votive inscription from Pizus \u2013 \u010cirpan (Thracia) - HD065152"}, {"coords": [45.5147, 22.7853], "id": 853, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/853", "long_id": "MPL00853", "place": "Colonia Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) his tegitur terris Antonia quam ge\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Colonia Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa \u2013 Sarmizegetusa (Dacia) - HD021008"}, {"coords": [45.5147, 22.7853], "id": 951, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/951", "long_id": "MPL00951", "place": "Colonia Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa", "text": "Caelestis mul-sa propria placabitur ara hac divis \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Votive inscription from Colonia Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa \u2013 Sarmizegetusa (Dacia) - HD043765"}, {"coords": [45.5147, 22.7853], "id": 965, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/965", "long_id": "MPL00965", "place": "Colonia Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) hic pietatis honos haec sunt pia d\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Colonia Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa \u2013 Sarmizegetusa (Dacia) - HD047545"}, {"coords": [45.5147, 22.7853], "id": 966, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/966", "long_id": "MPL00966", "place": "Colonia Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa", "text": "1 [---]NDA[---] [---]A fas est [---] [---] Severi\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://heidicon.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/api/v1/objects/uuid/d610f89a-2ce7-4146-8365-d79056a5cd88/file/id/772493/file_version/name/small", "title": "Epitaph from Colonia Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa"}, {"coords": [46.0667, 23.5723], "id": 934, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/934", "long_id": "MPL00934", "place": "Apulum", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) quinque hic annorum aetatis condit\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Apulum \u2013 Alba Iulia (Dacia) - HD038862"}, {"coords": [45.8971, 23.1644], "id": 959, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/959", "long_id": "MPL00959", "place": "Germisara", "text": "[Hanc ti]bi marmoreo caesam de monte d[icavi] regi\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Votive inscription from Germisara \u2013 Geoagiu (Dacia) - HD045667"}, {"coords": [45.8971, 23.1644], "id": 2263, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2263", "long_id": "MPL02263", "place": "Germisara", "text": "Sunt Getici fontes divina nympha creati, cui formo\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Prayer to the Nymphs from Germisara"}, {"coords": [45.8943, 22.994], "id": 956, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/956", "long_id": "MPL00956", "place": "Micia (Chimindia)", "text": "[------] quondam Pompo[ni[.]? [---]] et in bellis \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Micia, aus? \u2013 H\u0103r\u0103u (Dacia) - HD045596"}, {"coords": [43.8136, 22.9123], "id": 2260, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2260", "long_id": "MPL02260", "place": "Ratiaria", "text": "EDCINFRM Quid tantum superum Parcarum numina lesi \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription of Dassiola"}]

Object Details

Object Type	sarcophagus
Material	limestone
State of Preservation	fragmentary
Dimensions	width: 222.0 cm height: 92.0 cm depth: 100.0 cm
Letter Size in cm (min)	2.5
Letter Size in cm (max)	13.5
Execution Technique	chiselled
Religion	Pagan

Decoration

Decoration and Iconography	There are multiple decorations, both on the lid and on the sarcophagus itself.
Decoration Tags	God

Verse Layouts

Prose Verse Presence Praescriptum + carmen
Prose Verse Distinction
Yes, by change in lettering type
Scriptio Continua in verse part no
Abbreviations in verse part no
Verse Line Correspondence Yes

Prose Verse Presence	Praescriptum + carmen
Prose Verse Distinction	Yes, by change in lettering type
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

AELIVLIVLIANODECQVAESTORIC
AEDILICCOLROMVLVALERIAGE
MELLINAMARITOBMP

CONIVGIPROMERITISQVONDAMKARISSIMOCONIVNX
5HANCIVLIANODOMVMFLENDOFABRICAVIPERENNEM
FRIGIDAQVAMEMBRAPOSSINTREQVIESCEREMORTI
QVATTVORHICDENOSVIXITSINECVLPAPERANNOS
ETSVAPERFVNCTVSVIDITCVMGLORIAHONORES
ECCEGEMELLINAPIETATEDVCTAMARITO
10STRVXIDOLENSDIGNOSEDEMCVMLIBERISVNA
INTERPAMPINEAVIRGVLTAETGRAMINALAETA
VMBRASVPERRAMIVIRIDESVBIDENSAMINISTRAT
QVILEGISHOSVERSVSOPTALEVETERRAVIATOR

D(is) M(anibus)

Ael(io) Iul(io) Iuliano dec(urioni) quaestoric(io)
aedilic(io) col(oniae) Romul(ae) Valeria Ge-
mellina marito b(ene) m(erenti) p(osuit).

Coniugi pro meritis quondam karissimo coniunx
5 hanc Iuliano domum flendo fabricavi perennem
frigida qua membra possint requiescere morti.
quattuor hic denos vixit sine culpa per annos
et sua perfunctus vidit cum gloria honores
ecce Gemellina pietate ducta marito
10 struxi dolens digno sedem cum liberis una
inter pampinea virgulta et gramina laeta
umbra super rami virides ubi densa ministrat
qui legis hos versus opta leve terra viator.

D(is) M(anibus) -

Ael(io) Iul(io) Iuliano dec(urioni) quaestoric(io) aedilic(io) col(oniae) Romul(ae) Valeria Gemellina marito b(ene) m(erenti) p(osuit).

Coniugi pro meritis quondam karissimo coniunx
hanc Iuliano domum flendo fabricavi perennem
frigida qua membra possint requiescere morti.
quattuor hic denos vixit sine culpa per annos
et sua perfunctus vidit cum gloria honores
ecce Gemellina pietate ducta marito
struxi dolens digno sedem cum liberis una
inter pampinea virgulta et gramina laeta
umbra super rami virides ubi densa ministrat
qui legis hos versus opta leve terra viator.

Apparatus

Main Translation

Translation	To the Spirits of the Departed. For Aelius Iulius Iulianus, decurion, one-time quaestor and edile of the colony of Romula: Valeria Gemellina has erected (sc. this monument) for her very deserving husband. To my husband, once my dearest for his achievements, I, the wife, have built this eternal dwelling, for Iulianus, in tears, so that your cold limbs might find rest in death. He lived for ten times four years, without reproach, and upon his death he looked back on his distinctions combined with his acclaim. Behold: I, Gemellina, led by dutifulness and in pain, erected a resting place for my worthy husband, together with the children, amidst the vines and grass in abundance, where green branches provide dense shade. You, wayfarer, who read these lines, wish (sc. him) alight earth (sc. resting upon him).
Citation	Kruschwitz, Murzea 2024

Other Translations

"Zeilor Mani. Lui Aelius Iulius Iulianus, decurion, fost cvestor și edil al coloniei Romula, soțului care a binemeritat, i-a pus Valeria Gemellina.
Scumpului soț Iulian, pentru a lui vrednicie, eu soața,
Casa aceea de veci i-am ridicat-o cu lacrimi,
Rece-i trup spre-a-și putea odihni după moarte într-însa.
Trait-a el patruzeci, în cinste deplină
Și datoria-mplinindu-și, de slavă și de rang avu parte.
Și iată că eu, Gemellina, de pietate pătrunsă,
Soțului vrednic mîhnită-i durai cu copiii lăcașul
Între tufișuri de viță și desfătătoare verdeață,
Unde stufoasele ramuri l-acopăr cu umbra lor deasă.
Urează-i, drumeț călător, să-i fie țărîna ușoară." (Romanian, Translation in verses by Ștefan Bezdechi in "Inscriptiones Daciae Romanae, volume II, Editura Academiei Republicii Socialiste România, București, 1977)

Prosopographical Information

Name Aelius Iulius Iulianus
Gender Male
Legal Status Roman citizen
Rank Ordo municipalis
Profession Imperial and municipal staff
Romans 1by1 Link http://romans1by1.com/rpeople/8755
Role Dedicatee
Name Valeria Gemellina
Gender Female
Legal Status Roman citizen
Romans 1by1 Link http://romans1by1.com/rpeople/8756
Role Dedicator

Name	Aelius Iulius Iulianus
Gender	Male
Legal Status	Roman citizen
Rank	Ordo municipalis
Profession	Imperial and municipal staff
Romans 1by1 Link	http://romans1by1.com/rpeople/8755
Role	Dedicatee

Name	Valeria Gemellina
Gender	Female
Legal Status	Roman citizen
Romans 1by1 Link	http://romans1by1.com/rpeople/8756
Role	Dedicator

Further Information

Comment

Created by: Andreea-Mădălina Petricioiu, University of Bucharest

Squeeze

Have Squeeze?	no

Dating

Date (From)	171 AD
Date (To)	230 AD
Date (Criteria)	history

Bibliography

AE 1957, 00334
AE 2003, 01528
M. L. Fele, in: A.M. Corda, Cultus splendore. Studi in onore di Giovanna Sotgiu (Senorbí 2003) 435-490. - AE 2003.
IDR 02, 00357 (with photo)
P. Kruschwitz, D. Murzea, Women of Roman Dacia (Re-)Centred: Roman Verse Inscriptions between Macro-History and Micro-Narrative. In: L. Mihailescu-Bîrliba (ed.), R. Ardevan (ed.) et al., Studia epigraphica et historica in honorem Ioannis Pisonis, Wiesbaden 2024, 305-328. 🔗 link
CLE 02690
HD017657 🔗 link
Muzeul Romanțiului (with photo and Romanian translation) 🔗 link

Images

Editing History

Created	2025-11-10, by Eric Andreas Kunz
Work Status	Complete
Import Notice	Imported from Epigraphische Datenbank Heidelberg at 2024-07-11T12:02:18, ID there: HD017657

Revisions

by Unknown
at 2024-07-11 12:02
by Eric Andreas Kunz
at 2024-07-30 18:00
by Anna Pokorny
at 2025-01-29 15:07
by MAPPOLA DEMO
at 2025-11-01 09:50
by MAPPOLA DEMO
at 2025-11-01 10:09
by MAPPOLA DEMO
at 2025-11-01 10:20
by MAPPOLA DEMO
at 2025-11-01 10:25
by MAPPOLA DEMO
at 2025-11-01 10:29
by MAPPOLA DEMO
at 2025-11-01 10:30
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-11-01 11:07
by MAPPOLA DEMO
at 2025-11-01 11:12
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at 2025-11-01 11:12
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at 2025-11-01 11:14
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at 2025-11-01 11:25
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at 2025-11-01 11:26
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at 2025-11-01 11:30
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at 2025-11-01 11:31
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at 2025-11-01 11:32
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at 2025-11-03 16:34
by MAPPOLA DEMO
at 2025-11-03 16:34
by MAPPOLA DEMO
at 2025-11-06 15:35
by MAPPOLA DEMO
at 2025-11-06 16:29
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-11-06 16:38
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-11-06 16:46
by MAPPOLA DEMO
at 2025-11-06 17:35
by MAPPOLA DEMO
at 2025-11-06 17:44
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-11-06 18:49
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-11-10 15:05

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