Funerary Evidence
Herculaneum and Nocera gates
)
Cremations –Blue Vase
Elite tombs
Honors
• Land controlled by ordo
• Highest honor= gift of land and money for
tomb
)
Excedra Tomb
Excedra tomb
Tomb of Asquillia Polla
• Numerius Herennius Celsus Son of
Numerius, of the Menenian tribe, duumvir
with judicial power for the second time,
praefectus fabrum, dedicates this to his wife
Aesquillia Polla, daughter of Gaius. She
lived 22 years. The burial place was given
publicly by decree of the town councillors.
Priestess Mamia
• To Mamia daughter of Publius, public
priestess, a burial place was given by decree
of the town councillors
Titus Terentius Felix (aedile)
• Menenian tribe ( Pompeii voting group
during the Republic)
• To Titus Terentius Felix, senior, son of
Titus, of the tribe Menenenia, aedile. The
site [of this monument] was presented to
him by the city together with the sum of
2000 sesterces. It was erected by his wife,
Fabia Sabina, daughter of Probus.
Eumachia
• Nocera gate tomb built at her own expense
Tomb of Vestorius Priscus aedile
(Vesuvius gate)
Gladiatorial combat
Freedmen and Women
Tomb of Publius Vesonius
Phileros
• Publius Vesonius Phileros, freedman of a
woman, {Augustalis}, built this monument
for himself and his family while they were
still alive, and for his patron, Vesonia,
daughter of Publius, and for his friend
Marcus Orfellius Faustus
Trouble
• Stranger, if it’s not too much trouble, delay for a
while and you’ll discover what you should avoid.
This man who I thought was my friend produced
informers against me, and a lawsuit was begun. I
thank the gods and my innocence that I am free
from all that trouble. I hope that neither the
household gods nor the gods of the underworld
receive the man who lied about our dealings.
Marcus Cerrinus Restituts,
Augustalis
1834 Last Days of Pompeii
(Bulwer-Lytton)
1865 Faithful unto Death
(Sir Edward Poyntor)
Naevolia Tyche, wife of Gaius
Munatius Faustus, Augustalis
Gaius Munatius Faustus (Nocera
Gate)
Naevolia Tyche
Altar tomb ( Herculaneum gate)
• Naevolia Tyche, freedwoman of Lucius, set
this up for herself and Gaius Munatius
Faustus, Augustalis and country dweller, to
whom on account of his merits the town
council with the approval of the people
decreed a bisellium. Naevolia Tyche built
this monument for her freedmen and
freedwoman and for those of Gaius
Munatius Faustus during her lifetime
Tomb of Quietus
• For Gaius Calventius Quietus, Augustalis.
To him, on account of his generosity,the
honor of a bisellium was given by decree of
the town council and by popular consent
Multi-occupancy—Tomb of the
Flavii( freedmen of Publius
Flavius)
House tomb ( 1st c. CE multioccupancy) Nuceria Gate
• Inscriptions not as informative (funeral
club?)
Funeral Club Constitution (CIL
14.2112 (ILS 7212)
• It was decided unanimously that anyone who
wished to join the club should pay an
Initiation fee of 100 sesterces and an amphora of
good wine.
It was also decided that if any member of this club
has paid his dues regularly and then dies, 300
sesterces will be allotted from the club treasury for
his funeral. From this amount 50 sesterces will
be used to reimburse participants in the funeral
procession. The 50 sesterces will be divided up at
the site of the funeral pyre. However, participants
must walk.
• It was also decided that if any member
should die beyond the twentieth milestone
from this municipality, and word has been
received of his death, three men chosen
from our club should go to that place and
make arrangements for his funeral; they
should then render an account to our
members without willful deceit.
• It was also decided that if any member of
this club who was a slave should die, and if
his body should not be given over to us for
internment because of the unfairness of his
master or mistress, or if he has not left a
will, a funeral will be held in effigy for
him…
• Chairmen for the dinners, four at a time
selected in turn according to the
membership list, ought to provide one
amphora each of good wine and bread
worth two asses, proportionate to the
number of club members and four sardines
and a room for the dinner, and hot water,
and a waiter.
Poor
• Names inscribed on walls between Nola
and Sarno gate.