Inscriptions: Epitaph of the baker Marcus Acilius Eros by his freedmen and freedwomen

Identification

Reference as:	MPL00938
Title	Epitaph of the baker Marcus Acilius Eros by his freedmen and freedwomen
Trismegistos-No.	231306

Object

Provenance and Location

Find Place	Dianium
Find Context	Outskirts of Almoines, found next to cinerary urns during an excavation in an olive grove, 1868.
Latitude	0.0
Longitude	0.0
Current Location	Madrid, Museo Arqueológico Nacional de España
Inventory number	16508
Current Location Details
Vicinity	[{"coords": [38.8428, 0.107511], "id": 938, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/938", "long_id": "MPL00938", "place": "Dianium", "text": "M(arcus) Acilius Eros h(ic) s(itus) e(st), pistor.\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/v7.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of the baker Marcus Acilius Eros by his freedmen and freedwomen"}, {"coords": [38.8428, 0.107511], "id": 935, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/935", "long_id": "MPL00935", "place": "Dianium", "text": "C(aius) Iul(ius) H[---] sibi et Co[rneliae] Sphr[a\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Dianium \u2013 Denia (Hispania citerior) - HD039492"}, {"coords": [39.6781, -0.277247], "id": 815, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/815", "long_id": "MPL00815", "place": "Saguntum (Sagunto)", "text": "M(arcus) Acilius L(uci) f(ilius) Fontanus. Eri\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Marcus Acilius Fontanus"}, {"coords": [39.6781, -0.277247], "id": 866, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/866", "long_id": "MPL00866", "place": "Saguntum (Sagunto)", "text": "[\u2066 - - - - - - - - - - \u2069] [\u2066 - - - - - - - - - - \u2069\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Saguntum, bei \u2013 Mont\u00edver (Mont\u00edber) (Hispania citerior) - HD026147"}, {"coords": [40.0353, -0.555], "id": 826, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/826", "long_id": "MPL00826", "place": "Mont\u00e1n ", "text": "M(arcus) Marius Lascivos h(ic) s(itus) e(st) tu qu\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Mont\u00e1n (Montant) (Hispania citerior) - HD012356"}, {"coords": [39.4704, -0.376813], "id": 860, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/860", "long_id": "MPL00860", "place": "Valentia", "text": "Pius pr(a)eclarus doctor alacer facundus Iustinian\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Elogium from Valentia \u2013 Valencia (Hispania citerior) - HD024284"}, {"coords": [39.4704, -0.376813], "id": 861, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/861", "long_id": "MPL00861", "place": "Valentia", "text": "Constructu(m) p[---cu]rrunt fastigium quis[--- a?]\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Building/dedicatory inscription from Valentia \u2013 Valencia (Hispania citerior) - HD024287"}, {"coords": [39.4704, -0.376813], "id": 862, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/862", "long_id": "MPL00862", "place": "Valentia", "text": "[\u2066 - - - - - - - - - - \u2069] [b?]ona liq[uet?] [---]l\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Inscription from Valentia \u2013 Valencia (Hispania citerior) - HD024293"}, {"coords": [40.811, 0.520955], "id": 868, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/868", "long_id": "MPL00868", "place": "Dertosa", "text": "C(aius) Aebutius Tardus C(aius) Aebutius Verecundu\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for C. Aebutius Tardus and C. Aebutius Verecundus"}, {"coords": [37.6028, -0.987953], "id": 927, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/927", "long_id": "MPL00927", "place": "Carthago Nova", "text": "Mater, si posse[m], fili vice mortis s[---]. Nunc \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph of Philocalus by his mother Aucta and sister Adventa"}, {"coords": [37.6028, -0.987953], "id": 928, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/928", "long_id": "MPL00928", "place": "Carthago Nova", "text": "Argentaria C(ai) f(ilia) Faustil(la) octavos cum i\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Carthago Nova \u2013 Cartagena (Hispania citerior) - HD037645"}, {"coords": [37.6028, -0.987953], "id": 929, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/929", "long_id": "MPL00929", "place": "Carthago Nova", "text": "C(aius) Licinius C(ai) f(ilius) Torax hospes consi\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Carthago Nova \u2013 Cartagena (Hispania citerior) - HD037760"}, {"coords": [37.6028, -0.987953], "id": 930, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/930", "long_id": "MPL00930", "place": "Carthago Nova", "text": "M(arcus) Oppius M(arci) f(ilius) fore(n)sis ars hi\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Carthago Nova \u2013 Cartagena (Hispania citerior) - HD037778"}, {"coords": [37.6028, -0.987953], "id": 931, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/931", "long_id": "MPL00931", "place": "Carthago Nova", "text": "Filiola\u0323[m] amisit pa[trem], materque sequtast ips\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/mu5-scaled.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of the household slave Salviola"}, {"coords": [37.6028, -0.987953], "id": 932, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/932", "long_id": "MPL00932", "place": "Carthago Nova", "text": "Sicinia C(ai) f(ilia) Secunda filia cum matre est \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Carthago Nova \u2013 Cartagena (Hispania citerior) - HD037805"}, {"coords": [37.6028, -0.987953], "id": 933, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/933", "long_id": "MPL00933", "place": "Carthago Nova", "text": "[Q(uintus) Lusius] L(uci) f(ilius) Seni[ca] [molle\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Carthago Nova, bei \u2013 Cartagena, bei (Hispania citerior) - HD037944"}, {"coords": [37.6028, -0.987953], "id": 2219, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2219", "long_id": "MPL02219", "place": "Carthago Nova", "text": "Vinuleia L(uci) l(iberta) Calena. Heic sitast. F\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://cil.bbaw.de/ace/files/PH0001333.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of the freedwoman Vinuleia Calena by her daughter"}, {"coords": [37.6028, -0.987953], "id": 2220, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2220", "long_id": "MPL02220", "place": "Carthago Nova", "text": "Sei quaer\u0323i\u0323s\u0323 nomen, [co]n\u0323s\u0323i\u0323s\u0323-te et percipe\u0323 \u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://institucional.us.es/cleo/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/mu13b.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of of the freedwoman Pontiliena"}, {"coords": [37.6028, -0.987953], "id": 2227, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2227", "long_id": "MPL02227", "place": "Carthago Nova", "text": "\|A Plotia L(uci) et F\u0323ufiae l(iberta).- Prune ha\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$CIL_02_03495.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of the freedwoman Plotia"}, {"coords": [38.98, 1.43], "id": 941, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/941", "long_id": "MPL00941", "place": "Ebusus", "text": "In \u0394(omi)no benedicto tec(um) Vifrede vita", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Acclamation from Ebusus \u2013 Ibiza (Hispania citerior) - HD041893"}, {"coords": [39.6167, -0.3], "id": 867, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/867", "long_id": "MPL00867", "place": "Saguntum (Pu\u00e7ol)", "text": "[.Vale]rius L(uci) f(ilius) Mar-[cell]us an(norum)\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Saguntum, bei \u2013 Pu\u00e7ol (Puzol) (Hispania citerior) - HD026357"}, {"coords": [39.4883, -1.10044], "id": 2235, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2235", "long_id": "MPL02235", "place": "Requena", "text": "Iu[---]++ +V\u0323[---] S\u0323osi-n\u0323a++g\u0323i f(ilius) Gili-t\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder/$ZPE_192_306_1.jpg", "title": "Epitaph of a man killed by bandits, dedicated by his son and sons-in-law"}]

Object Details

Object Type	stele
Material	limestone
State of Preservation	incomplete
Dimensions	width: 61.0 cm height: 115.0 cm depth: 26.0 cm
Letter Size in cm (min)	2.5
Letter Size in cm (max)	6.0
Execution Technique	chiselled
Religion	Pagan

Decoration

Decoration and Iconography	Inscription within aedicula flanked by thin columns terminating in capitals shaped as lotus flowers. Below the epigraphic field, coffered decoration restored in its lower part. Above the epigraphic field, tympanum flanked by flower motifs and kraters. On pediment, eroded bust portrait of the deceased.
Decoration Tags	Architecture / Aedicula Architecture / Bust Architecture / Moulding Architecture / Pediment Architecture / Tympanum Architecture / capital Person / head Person / man Person / portrait Plant / Flower Object / Krater Plant / Lotus

Verse Layouts

Prose Verse Presence	Praescriptum + carmen
Prose Verse Distinction	Yes, by bigger lettering in prose Yes, by different layout
Layout Types (Prose)	Justified Right aligned
Layout Types (Verse)	Justified
Scriptio Continua in verse part	no
Abbreviations in verse part	no
Verse Line Correspondence	No, just uses all available space
Graphic Signs and Spaces for Easier Carmen Reading	To separate words - Interpunction

Text

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

Inscription & Translations

Diplomatic Interpretative Verse Visualisation

MACILIVS
EROSHSE
PISTORLIBLIBE
RTAEQV....CV͡RA

5QVISQ.......S
PARTES[]
RRIS[]
PRECOR...DICAS:.TTL

M(arcus) Acilius
Eros h(ic) s(itus) e(st),
pistor. Lib(erti) libe-
rtaequẹ f̣ạc̣(iendum) cu͡ra(verunt).

5Quisqụịṣ ịṇ ḥạs
partes, [quisquis] p̣ẹṛc̣ụ-
rris ịṇ [illas],
precor ụṭị dicas: ṣ(it) t(ibi) t(erra) l(evis).

M(arcus) Acilius Eros h(ic) s(itus) e(st), pistor. Lib(erti) libertaequẹ f̣ạc̣(iendum) cu͡ra(verunt).

Quisqụịṣ ịṇ ḥạs partes, [quisquis] p̣ẹṛc̣ụrris ịṇ [illas],
precor ụṭị dicas: ṣ(it) t(ibi) t(erra) l(evis).

Apparatus

Text follows Corell 1999 and 2012. Picture checked by Spalla 2025.
l. 4: [fac(iendum)] Gómez Pallarès 2002.
ll. 7-8: in [illas, te] precor ut dicas, CIL; CLE; Cholodniak. in ist[as te] precor, Gómez Pallarès 2002.

Main Translation

Translation	The baker Marcus Acilius Eros lies here. His freedmen and freedwomen took care of putting this up. Whoever runs by this way, whoever goes that way, I beg you to say: "May the earth by light upon you".
Citation	Fabio Spalla

Other Translations

Tú que marchas apresurado por aquí y por allá, [te] ruego que digas: «que no te pese la tierra». (Spanish, C. Fernández Martínez)
Marc Acili Eros, forner, ací és sepultat. Els seus lliberts i llibertes li erigiren (aquest monument). Tu, quisvulla que sigues, que véns o vas apressat, digues, et pregue: «que la terra et siga lleugera». (Catalan, J. Corell 1999)
Marco Acilio Eros, panadero, está enterrado aquí, Sus libertos y libertas se han ocupado de hacerlo. Quienquiera que pases deprisa por un lado o por otro, quienquiera que seas, te pido que digas: Que la tierra te sea ligera. (Spanish, J. Gómez Pallarès (CLEO))

Prosopographical Information

Name Marcus Acilius Eros
Gender Male
Profession Other profession
Role Dedicatee

Name	Marcus Acilius Eros
Gender	Male
Profession	Other profession
Role	Dedicatee

Further Information

Comment

Dating proposed by Corell 1999. Hübner (CIL) proposes a dating to the broad 1st century AD, based on palaeography. Gómez Pallarès 2002 proposes a dating to the end of the 1st century AD alone, also based on the absence of the Dis Manibus formula, the name in the nominative, the formula "hic situs est", and palaeography.

Squeeze

Have Squeeze?	no

Dating

Date (From)	71 AD
Date (To)	130 AD
Date (Criteria)	palaeography

Bibliography

CIL 02 (Suppl.), 05975 (also on alternative dating)
CLE 01457
ILER 05744
J. Cholodniak, Carmina sepulcralia latina epigraphica, Petersburg 1904, 458, nr. 1219. 🔗 link
J. Mangas Mangarrés, Esclavos y libertos en la España romana, Salamanca 1971, 357. 🔗 link
J. Aparicio Pérez, V. Gurrea Crespo, S. Climent Mañó, Carta arqueológica de La Safor, Gandía 1983, 319. 🔗 link
J. Corell i Vicent, Las inscripciones romanas de la Safor (Valencia), Madrid 1993, nr. 8 (with photo, fig. 20) 🔗 link
J. Gómez Pallarès, Initia de los Carmina Latina Epigraphica Hispaniae (Conventus Tarraconensis) (I), Faventia 17, 1 (1995), 85, nr. V7. 🔗 link
J. Corell, Inscripcions romanes d'Ilici, Lucentum, Allon, Dianium, i els seus territoris, València 1999, 311-313, nr. 213 (with Catalan translation and photo, 312; also on dating) 🔗 link
C. Fernández Martínez, Poesía epigráfica latina II, Madrid 1999, 142, nr. 1457 (Spanish translation of the elegiac couplet) 🔗 link
R. Hernández Pérez, Poesía latina sepulcral de la Hispania romana: estudios de los tópicos y sus formulaciones, Valencia 2001, 307. 🔗 link
J. Gómez Pallarès, Poesia epigràfica llatina als països catalans. Edició i comentari, Barcelona 2002, 232-234, nr. V8 (with Catalan translation; also on alternative dating) 🔗 link
J. Corell, Inscripcions romanes del País Valencià, Vol. 6 (Ilici, Lucentum, Allon, Dianium, i els seus territoris), Valencia 2012, 283-285, nr. 213 (with Catalan translation and photo, 284) 🔗 link
CLEO V7 (with Spanish translation) 🔗 link
EDCS-05601120 🔗 link
HD039704 🔗 link
HEpOl 11850 🔗 link
MQDQ 🔗 link

Images

Epitaph of the baker Marcus Acilius Eros by his freedmen and freedwomen.
Source: CLEO V7 (c) Museo Arqueológico Nacional

Editing History

Created	2025-09-08, by Eric Andreas Kunz
Work Status	Complete
Import Notice	Imported from Epigraphische Datenbank Heidelberg at 2024-07-11T12:12:03, ID there: HD039704

Revisions

by Unknown
at 2024-07-11 12:12
by Eric Andreas Kunz
at 2024-08-12 18:26
by Anna Pokorny
at 2025-01-29 15:29
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-09-03 09:50
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-09-03 10:56
by Fabio Spalla
at 2025-09-03 11:01
by Chiara Cenati
at 2025-09-08 11:06

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