[ 31 ]
tombs were decorated with garlands, illuminated with lamps, and
perfumed with incense ; libations were made, sacrifices offered, and
victims slain; a frugal meal was provided for the dead, and a more
luxurious and substantial one for the living.
A notion once prevailed, that the ancients were acquainted with
a lamp whose flame was perpetual, and which they deposited in the
tombs of their friends. This inscription shews us that much im-
portance was attached to the frequent replenishing of a lamp to the
honour of the deceased; and the unremitting attention which in
some instances may have been paid to this observance, may have
given rise to the traditionary notion so absurd as the one alluded to.
This inscription, in the same state of mutilation, has been pub-
lished by Marini.
Greatest height of the fragment, 13 inches; width, ll£ inches.
From the Towneley Collection.]
PLATE VIII. Fig. S, 4.
A sepulchral urn, with an inscription to Pompeius Locusto,
aged 65; Attilia Clodia, his wife, aged 60; and Pompeius, their son,
aged 21; who all died on the same day from the effects of poison.
This urn has two solid handles, and is of a form inclining to oval.
In the front is a tablet containing the following inscription:
POMPEIVS LOCVSTO VIX . AN . LXV.
ATTILIA . CLODIA . CON IV . VIX . AN . LX
POMPEIVS . EORV . FILIVS . VIX . AN . XXI
OMNES . VNO DIE . EADEM . VENENI VI
INFELICEM DIEM . OBIERV SVPREMV
On each side of the tablet is a stork destroying a serpent, which
has turned itself round the neck of one bird, and is in the act of
tombs were decorated with garlands, illuminated with lamps, and
perfumed with incense ; libations were made, sacrifices offered, and
victims slain; a frugal meal was provided for the dead, and a more
luxurious and substantial one for the living.
A notion once prevailed, that the ancients were acquainted with
a lamp whose flame was perpetual, and which they deposited in the
tombs of their friends. This inscription shews us that much im-
portance was attached to the frequent replenishing of a lamp to the
honour of the deceased; and the unremitting attention which in
some instances may have been paid to this observance, may have
given rise to the traditionary notion so absurd as the one alluded to.
This inscription, in the same state of mutilation, has been pub-
lished by Marini.
Greatest height of the fragment, 13 inches; width, ll£ inches.
From the Towneley Collection.]
PLATE VIII. Fig. S, 4.
A sepulchral urn, with an inscription to Pompeius Locusto,
aged 65; Attilia Clodia, his wife, aged 60; and Pompeius, their son,
aged 21; who all died on the same day from the effects of poison.
This urn has two solid handles, and is of a form inclining to oval.
In the front is a tablet containing the following inscription:
POMPEIVS LOCVSTO VIX . AN . LXV.
ATTILIA . CLODIA . CON IV . VIX . AN . LX
POMPEIVS . EORV . FILIVS . VIX . AN . XXI
OMNES . VNO DIE . EADEM . VENENI VI
INFELICEM DIEM . OBIERV SVPREMV
On each side of the tablet is a stork destroying a serpent, which
has turned itself round the neck of one bird, and is in the act of