The X-Files: Chrēstos / Christos / Χρειστος

[Peter Kirby]

The way to read this is that the text of the inscription is Crestiana.

publication: CIL 03, 13529 = ILCV +00423 = ILCV 01336 (add) = CLE 01992 = AEA 1999/00, +00036 = AEA 2001/02, +00009 = AEA 2001/02, +00019 = AEA 2003, +00011 = AEA 2005, +00004 = AEA 2005, +00039 = AEA 2007, +00045 = AEA 2008, +00017 = AEA 2010, +00018 = AEA 2011/12, +00014 = Massaro-2023, 00036
dating: 301 to 450 EDCS-ID: EDCS-14600335
province: Noricum place: Wels / Ovilava

Fl(avius) Ianuarius mil(es) vivus fecit / condita sepulcro hic pausat Ursa / C(h)r<i=E>stiana fidelis an(norum) XXXVIII per partum / subito ducente inpio fato est tradita Tartaris / imis et me subito linquit sibi coniugem pro tempo/re iunctum qu<a=E>m ambulo et quero miser qu<a=E>m ipse / aeterna condidi terra o quit(!) tribuat genesis / qui separat convirginios dulcis ut non licuit / nobis iugiter supernam frunisci caritatem / hoc dico legentibus et lacrimis prosequor verba / coniuncti amantis semper se bene dicere debent / quia nihil erit dulcius quam prima iuventus

Flavius Januarius, a living soldier, made (this) while alive. Here lies Ursa, a faithful Christian, who lived for 38 years, suddenly delivered to the deepest Tartarus by a cruel fate. And she suddenly leaves me, her husband, connected for a while, whom I walk and search for in misery. I, who myself, have been laid to rest in the eternal earth. May Earth grant (her) the genesis which separates sweet wedded spouses, so that we were not allowed to enjoy the heavenly love perpetually. I say this to the readers, and I follow these words with tears. Those joined in love should always speak well of themselves, for there will be nothing sweeter than the first youth.

[Peter Kirby]

publication: CIL 08, 02335 (p 951) = AE 1985, 00884
dating: 301 to 500 EDCS-ID: EDCS-20100163
province: Numidia place: Schemorra

Publius Petronius Tunninus votum quod deo et C(h)risto / eius ipsi promiserunt et co<m=N>pleverunt favente deo Gadiniana flore

Publius Petronius Tunninus fulfilled the vow which they themselves promised to God and His Christ, with the favor of God and the Gadinian flower.

[Peter Kirby]

publication: CIL 03, 03996 (p 1742, 2328,114) = AIJ 00581 = ILCV 01449 = Sun 00039 = AE 2006, 01033 = Migotti-2018, p 30
dating: 331 to 500 EDCS-ID: EDCS-26600437
province: Pannonia superior place: Sisak / Siscia

Huic arcae inest Seve/rilla famula Chri(st)i quae / vixit cum viro novem / continuis annis cuius / post obitum Marcellianus se/dem hanc videtur conlocasse mari/tus

To this chest belongs Severilla, a servant of Christ, who lived with her husband for nine uninterrupted years. After his death, Marcellianus seems to have placed her in this resting place.

[Peter Kirby]

publication: CIL 03, 04221 = CIL 03, 10934 = RIU-01, 00082 = ILCV 03298 = LapSav 00147
dating: 301 to 400 EDCS-ID: EDCS-26600393
province: Pannonia superior place: Szombathely / Stein am Anger / Savaria

Hic positus est Fl/orentinus in<f=E>ans qui / vixit annos septem / et requiem adcepit in deo / patre nostro et (C)hristo eius

Here lies Florentinus, an infant who lived for seven years and found rest in God, our Father, and His Christ.

[Peter Kirby]

publication: CIL 09, 05566 = ICI-10, 00022 = CLE 01560 = CLENuovo p 135 = D 01289 = ILCV 00098 = AE 1991, 00612 = AE 1992, 00519 = AE 1993, 00610 = AE 1996, 00578
dating: 391 to 400 EDCS-ID: EDCS-17300165
province: Picenum / Regio V place: Tolentino / Tolentinum

Fl(avius) Iul(ius) Catervius v(ir) c(larissimus) ex praef(ecto) praetorio qui / vixit cum Septimia Severina c(larissima) f(emina) dulcissima / coniuge annis XVI minus d(iebus) XIII quievit in pace / annorum LVI dierum XVIII XVI Kal(endas) No<v=B>(embres) depo/situs est IIII K(a)l(endas) D(e)c(em)b(res) Septimia Severina c(larissima) f(emina) / marito dulcissimo ac sib[-i] sarcofagum / et pant(h)eum cum tric(h)oro disposuit / et perfecit // Quos paribus meritis iunxit matrimonio dulci / Catervi Severina tibi coniuncta laetatur // omnipotens dominus tumulus custodit in aevum / surgatis pariter C(h)risto praestante beati // quos dei sacerdos Probianus lavit et unxit // flende iaces in Basso iterum defuncte Catervi / occidit ore genus nomine posteritas // tu medius gemma et Germanis clausa metallis / morte tua fractum est Basse monile pium // Octavus Decimus vix te susceperat annus / Ocyus eripitur quod placet esse dei

Flavius Julius Catervius, a most illustrious man, former Prefect of the Praetorian Guard, who lived with Septimia Severina, a most illustrious and sweetest woman, as his beloved spouse for sixteen years and less thirteen days, peacefully rested in the 56th year of his life, 18 days before the Ides of November. He was laid to rest on the 4th day before the Kalends of December. Septimia Severina, a most illustrious woman, dedicated a sarcophagus and a splendid mausoleum with a treasure chamber for her dearest husband and herself, and completed it. United in marriage with equal merits, Catervius and Severina rejoice in you. The almighty Lord guards their tomb for eternity. May you both rise together, blessed by Christ. United in marriage, Catervius and Severina, rejoice! The all-powerful Lord guards the tomb forever. Rise together, blessed by Christ. Priest Probianus, anointed and cleansed by God, unites those of equal merit in matrimony. In sorrow, you lie in Basso, once again departed, Catervius. Your lineage perished with you, a mouth that fell silent, a name. You, a gem enclosed in German metals, your pious necklace, shattered by your death. The eighteenth year had barely embraced you, swiftly taken away because it pleased God.

[Peter Kirby]

"Cresto"

publication: CIL 02-05, *00044 = ICUR-01, 03406 = ICUR-07, 18588 (p 534) = CILA-04, *00021 = ILCV 04522
dating: 301 to 400 EDCS-ID: EDCS-33800619
province: Roma place: Roma

Felicitas coniu(n)<x=S> et filius Felix / bene merenti fecerunt C(h)r<i=E>sto

Felicitas, the wife, and Felix, the son, made this for the well-deserving Christ.

[Peter Kirby]

publication: CIL 05, *00429,144 = ICUR-01, 03148 = ILCV 01719 = Mossong-2022, 00221
dating: 376 to 400 EDCS-ID: EDCS-39900603
province: Roma place: Roma

[In hoc sancto] et religioso loco posita est Licinia / [honest]a femina omni laude b{a}eata et deo C(h)risto / [devota et T]heodoto diaconi iuncta pudica quae / [cum eo vix(it)] ann(os) p(lus) m(inus) XXVII et in viduitate ann(os) p(lus) m(inus) XXV / [et cursu vita]e co<m=N>pleto ann(orum) LXVII m(ensium) X d(ierum) III d(eposita) XVII K(alendas) Nov(embres) / [m]atri bene merenti in pace

[In this holy] and sacred place lies Licinia, an honorable woman, blessed with every praise and devoted to God and Christ, joined with Deacon Theodotus in chastity. She lived with him for more or less twenty-seven years, and in widowhood for more or less twenty-five years. Having completed the course of her life at the age of sixty-seven years, ten months, and three days, she was laid to rest on the 17th day before the Kalends of November. To the well-deserving mother, in peace.

[Peter Kirby]

publication: CIL 06, 01756b (p 855, 4752) = CIL 06, 31922b = CLE 01347 = CLENuovo p 158 = CLENuovo p 183 = CLENuovo p 154 = ILCV 00063 = ICUR-02, 04219 = CLENuovo p 123 = AE 1999, +00198 = AE 2004, +00192 = AE 2008, +00091
dating: a: 390 to 394; b: 390 to 394 EDCS-ID: EDCS-18100576
province: Roma place: Roma

Sublimis quisquis tumuli miraberis arces / dicis quantus erat qui Probus hic situs est / consulibus proavis soceroque et consule maior / quod geminas consul reddidit ipse domos / praefectus quarto totum dilectus in orbem / sed fama emensus quicquid in orbe hominum est / aeternos heu Roma tibi qui posceres annos / cur non vota tui vixit adusque boni / nam cum sex denos mensis suspenderet annos / dilectae gremio raptus in aethra Probae / sed periisse Probum meritis pro talibus absit / credas Roma tuum vivit et astra tenet / virtutis fidei pietatis honoris amicus / parcus opum nulli largus et ipse sui / solamen tanti coniu(n)x tamen optima luctus / hoc Proba sortita est iungat et urna pares / felix heu nimium felix dum vita maneret / digno iuncta viro digna simul tumulo // Ex[uv]iis resolutus in aetheris aequore tutum / curris iter cunctis integer a vitiis / nomine quod resonas imitatus moribus aeque / Iordane ablutus nunc Probus es melior / dives opum clarusque genus praecelsus honore / fascibus inlustris consule dignus avo / bis gemina populos praefectus sede gubernans / has mundi phaleras hos procerum titulos / transcendis senior donatus munere Christi / hic est verus honos haec tua nobilitas / laetabare prius mensae regalis honore / principis alloquio regis amicitia / nunc propior Christo sanctorum sede potitus / luce nova frueris lux tibi Christus adest / o numquam deflende tuis cum vita maneret / corporis atque artus spiritus hos regeret / primus eras nullique patrum virtute secundus / nunc renovatus habes perpetuam requiem / candida fuscatus nulla velamina culpa / et novus insuetis incola liminibus / his solare tuos quanquam sola<c=T>ia maesta / gratia non quaerat gratia Christe tua / vivit in aeterna paradisi sede beatus / qui nova decedens muneris aetherii / vestimenta tulit quo demigrante Belial / cessit et ingemuit hic nihil esse suum / hunc tu Christe choris iungas c(a)elestibus oro / te canat et placidum iugiter aspiciat / eque tuo semper dilectus pendeat ore / auxilium s<u=O>boli coniugioque fer<en=A>s

High whoever you are that will marvel at the heights of this tomb, you say how great Probus, who lies here, was. In the consulship of his ancestors and as a father-in-law and greater consul, he himself returned the consulship twice. Prefect for the fourth time, chosen for the entire world, but having traversed with his fame whatever is in the world of men. Alas, Rome, you who could demand eternal years, why did you not grant him the wishes of his well-deserved good? For when he had suspended sixty months, taken from the lap of his beloved Proba, he was snatched into the heavens. But may it be far from us to believe that Probus perished for such merits. Rome, believe that your Probus lives and holds the stars. A friend of virtue, faith, piety, honor, sparing in wealth, generous to none but himself, the best comfort of so great a husband, yet Proba has obtained this lot; may the urn unite them as equals. Happy, alas, too happy, as long as life lasted, joined to a worthy husband, worthy also of the tomb. Liberated from his remains in the expanse of the heavenly sea, you run a safe course untouched by all vices. A name that echoes in imitation of his character, washed in the Jordan, now Probus, you are better. Rich in wealth, illustrious in lineage, lofty in honor, illustrious with fasces, worthy of the consulship of your ancestor. Prefect twice governing the people with dual authority, with these world's honors, the titles of nobility of men, you transcend, having been honored by the gift of Christ. Here is true honor; this is your nobility. You used to rejoice before at the honor of the royal table, the speech of the prince, the friendship of the king. Now, having obtained the seat of the saints, you are nearer to Christ, and the new light of Christ shines for you. O, never to be mourned, as long as life remained and the spirit governed these limbs of the body, you were the first and second to none in virtue of the fathers. Now renewed, you have perpetual rest, pure, unblemished by any fault, and a new inhabitant in the unfamiliar realms. Despite your loneliness, may your sorrow be consoled by these, although grace seeks not grace from your Christ. Blessed in the eternal seat of paradise, he departed, taking with him the new vestments of the heavenly gift. When he migrated, Belial withdrew and sighed that there was nothing of his own here. May you, Christ, join him to the heavenly choirs; I pray that he may sing to you and gaze upon you forever with a serene face. Always may he hang, loved by your mouth and the support of your sacred yoke.

[Peter Kirby]

publication: CIL 06, 41342 = ICUR-05, 13355 = AE 2009, +00145 = Mossong-2022, 00218
dating: 389 to 389 EDCS-ID: EDCS-01000473
province: Roma place: Roma

Maximilla poten[s servare f(o)edera C]<hr=RH>isti propositumque fidem mors abstulit omnia vitae sed melius vivit vitam C(h)risti qui sperat (a)eternam si animo recolat fidem / datam omn[ibus] unam tunc poterit mors ipsa mori cum tempore toto vita perennis eri<t=I> veniam dabit omnibus unam sed meritis / [ve]<g=C>etans su[per h]anc Lucceia fecisti nam m<e=I>mor ipsa tui cum reddis vota sepulcr{h}i ostend<i=E>s mentem religiosa vita repleta(m) mirae fide(i) / et innocentiae optimique propositi Maximilla virgo ancilla dei civis Pannonia qu(a)e / vixit annis n(umero) L huic sepulturae condita est a {L} Lucceia c(larissima) f(emina) filia Viventi c(larissimae) r(ecordationis) v(iri) ex praefecto / pr(a)etorio et urbis aeternae prop<te=I>r amicitiam sibi coniun(c)tam qu(a)e diem clusit una cum matre / sua pariter Nunita qu(a)e fuit matrona diaconi{s} et vixit annis n(umero) LXX die IIII Non(as) Octobr(es) FFll(aviis) / Timasio et Promoto vv(viris) cc(larissimis) conss(ulibus)

Maximilla, powerful to maintain the covenant of Christ, and her purpose of faith, death took away all the things of life. But she lives a better life, the life of Christ, who hopes for eternal life if she recalls the faith given to all in her mind. Then, death itself will be able to die with the whole time; she will be everlasting throughout her life. She will grant forgiveness to all with one, but according to merits, lamenting over this, you, Lucceia, have done it. For the memory of yourself, when you fulfill the vows of the tomb, you will show a mind filled with a life of remarkable faith and innocence, and the excellent purpose of the virgin Maximilla, a servant of God, a citizen of Pannonia, who lived for fifty years. She is buried in this grave by Lucceia, a most illustrious woman, the daughter of Viventius, a man of most distinguished memory, who was a prefect of the praetorium and the eternal city, united to her in a friendship. She closed her day together with her mother, Nunita, who was a matron of the deacon, and lived for seventy years, on the fourth day before the Nones of October, during the consulship of Flavius Timasius and Promotus, most illustrious men.

[Peter Kirby]

publication: CIL 06, 41434 = CLE 00904 = ICUR-10, 27256 (p 246) = ICUR-10, 27257 = ILCV 00056 = ILCV 00057 = CLE +00904
dating: a: 391 to 425; b: 391 to 425 EDCS-ID: EDCS-01000578
province: Roma place: Roma

Martyris hic s(an)c(t)i Liberalis membra quiescunt / qui quondam in terris consul honore fuit / sed crevit titulis factus de consule martyr / cui vivit semper morte creatus honor / plus fuit irato quam grato principe felix / quem perimens rabidus misit ad astra furor / gratia cui trabeas dederat dedit ira coronam / dum Chr(ist)o procerem mens inimica facit / obtulit haec d(omi)no componens atria Florus / ut s(an)c(t)os venerans praemia iusta ferat // Quamquam patricio clarus de germine consul / inlustres t{h}rabeas nobilitate tuas / plus tamen ad meritum crescit quod morte beata / martyris effuso sanguine nomen habes / adiunctusque deo tota quem mente petisti / adsertor Christi sidera iure coles / sit precor acceptum quod post dispendia belli / in melius Florus restituit famulus

Here rest the remains of the holy martyr Liberalis, who once on earth held the honorable office of consul. But, by titles, he grew into a martyr from a consul, and with death, he gained everlasting honor. More fortunate was he with an angry than a grateful emperor. Furious madness, while destroying him, sent him to the stars. The favor that had given him the insignia of a consul, anger bestowed a crown when, hostile to Christ, he presented a prominent man. Florus, offering this, pacifying the Lord and honoring the saints, prays that he may bear just rewards. Although renowned as a patrician from a distinguished lineage and illustrious with your noble insignia, what increases your merit more is that, blessed by death, you bear the name of a martyr with your shed blood. United with God, whom you sought with your whole mind, you will rightfully dwell among the stars as the defender of Christ. I pray that what Florus, the servant, has restored for the better after the troubles of war may be accepted.