The martyr of the catacombs : $b a tale of ancient Rome — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The martyr of the catacombs : $b a tale of ancient Rome
John Stuart Mill · en
TO ADSERTOR OUR SON, DEAR, SWEET MOST INNOCENT, AND INCOMPARABLE,
WHO LIVED SEVENTEEN YEARS SIX MONTHS AND EIGHT DAYS. HIS FATHER AND
MOTHER SET UP THIS.
TO JANUARIUS, SWEET AND GOOD SON, HONORED AND BELOVED BY ALL: WHO
LIVED TWENTY-THREE YEARS FIVE MONTHS AND TWENTY-TWO DAYS.
HIS PARENTS LAURINIA, SWEETER THAN HONEY SLEEPS IN PEACE.
TO THE HOLY SOUL, INNOCENS, WHO LIVED ABOUT THREE YEARS.
DOMITIANUS, AN INNOCENT SOUL, SLEEPS IN PEACE
"Farewell, O Sabina; she lived viii years, viii months and xxii days,
Mayst thou live sweet in God."
IN CHRIST: DIED ON THE KALENDS OF SEPTEMBER, POMPEIANUS THE
INNOCENT, WHO LIVED SIX YEARS NINE MONTHS EIGHT DAYS AND FOUR HOURS.
HE SLEEPS IN PEACE.
TO THEIR DESERVING SON, CALPURNIUS, HIS PARENTS MADE THIS: HE LIVED
FIVE YEARS, EIGHT MONTHS AND TEN DAYS, AND DEPARTED IN PEACE ON THE
THIRTEENTH OF JUNE.
"Unto the epitaph of this child," said Marcellus, "they have added the
symbols of peace and of glory." He pointed to a child's tomb, upon the
slab of which was engraved a dove and a laurel crown, together with the
following inscription:
RESPECTUS, WHO LIVED FIVE YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS, SLEEPS IN PEACE.
"And this one," continued Marcellus, "has a palm branch, the symbol of
victory."
"Yes," said Honorius, "the Saviour has said, 'Suffer little children to
come unto me,'" and he read the following inscription:
MACUS, AN INNOCENT BOY. YOU HAVE ALREADY BEGUN TO BE AMONG THE
INNOCENT ONES. HOW ENDURING IS SUCH A LIFE TO YOU. HOW GLADLY WILL
YOUR MOTHER, THE CHUCH OF GOD, RECEIVE YOU, RETURNING TO THIS WORLD!
LET US RESTRAIN OUR GROANS AND CEASE FROM WEEPING.
Their attention was also attracted by epitaphs over the graves of women
who had been wives of Christian ministers.
MY WIFE LAURENTIA MADE ME THIS TOMB. SHE WAS EVER SUITED TO MY
DISPOSITION, VENERABLE AND FAITHFUL. AT LENGTH DISAPPOINTED ENVY
LIES CRUSHED. THE BISHOP LEO SURVIVED HIS EIGHTIETH YEAR.
THE PLACE OF BASIL THE PRESBYTER AND HIS FELICITAS. THEY MADE IT FOR
THEMSELVES.
ONCE THE HAPPY DAUGHTER OF THE PRESBYTER GABINUS, HERE LIES SUSANNA,
JOINED WITH HER FATHER IN PEACE.
CLAUDIUS ATTICIANUS, A LECTOR, AND CLAUDIA FELICISSIMA HIS WIFE.
"I see here," said Marcellus, "a larger tomb. Are two buried here?"
"Yes, this is a 'bisomum,' and two occupy that cell. Read the inscription:"
THE BISOMUM OF SABINUS. HE MADE IT FOR HIMSELF DURING HIS LIFETIME
IN THE CEMETERY OF BALBINA IN THE NEW CRYPT.