U-M's Collection Of Tombstones Gives Sidelight On Ancient Rome

Among the many reminders of ancient times to be found on the University campus is a collection of marble tombstone inscriptions in Greek and Latin which date back to the first and second centuries, some of which may once have been seen by St. Paul.
The Inscriptions, some 250 of them, housed in the University Museum of Archaeology, were purchased by the University in 1899 from the parish priest of Pozzuoli, Italy, who was a student of archaeology and had built up a small museum of antiquities in his own home.
The priest, Fr. Guiseppe de Criscio. was a member of a noble Roman family and had received an education which gave him a wide acquaintance in archaeology, history and numismatics (the study of coins). Brought By Parishioners
His parishioners, aware of his interest in archaeology. brought him many antique objects which were from time to time unearthed at Pozzuoli or neighboring areas, including some which they believed might have been seen by St. Paul when he stopped as a prisoner in Pozzuoli (then known as Puteoli) for seven days on his way to Rome.
The Bible tells of this historic visit in Acts 28: 13 and 14 where the author states: "And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome."
Since the tombstones in ancient times frequently lined the roads leading to a city, it is quite likely that St. Paul may have seen some of the specimens which are now on display here.
Most of the inscriptions reflect the Roman mythology of an afterlife in the heading, "D.M." or "Dis Manibus," which means "To the Shades of the Dead." The "shades" refer to the spirits of the dead which were believed to exist in some shadowy replica of the present life. Interesting Inscriptions
An interesting reflection on the society of the times is illustrated in the terminology used' to praise a deceased wife who is called most "obedient" and "dutiful."
Among the funerary inscriptions are many written by slaves, freedwomen or freedmen in honor of a deceased patron, and some are inscribed to the memory of children, parents or friends, including one to a deceased hairdresser who was also the "freedwoman of Aulus," to "Lucius Anxtonius Sabinus, a veteran of the fleet," and to a 14-year-old child and daughter who is inscribed as a "beguiling maid."
The veteran of the Navy had served with the fleet for 26 years, the inscription states, dying at the age of 45. Another seamen, a ship's carpenter, erected the tomb for his "patroness who was also his very obedient and dutiful wife."
The initials B. M. F., with which many of the inscriptions close, are the Latin for Bene Merenti Fecit, "For One Who Well Deserved It."
Among other items in the de Criscio collection which numbers some 750 pieces-are marble ash urns which were used to bury the ashes of the dead following cremation, a marble well curb to protect a floor opening leading to a The old Roman tombstone in the above picture is one of some 250 owned by the University Museum of Archaeology which dinte baek to the first and second centuries after Christ. The stone is dedicated to "Cornelia Hermione, their mother, who well deserved it" by her sons
Cornelius Hermogenes and Cornelius Aquilinus. The Patera or shallow saucer engraved in the gable is known as a libation saucer used for offerings of wines or other liquids to the gods. The inscription belongs to the University's de Criscio collection, purchased from a parish priest in Pozzuoli, Italy. cistern, a marble wash basin from a private bath, and bronze jewelry, glassware, black Italic ware, mirrors and vases. Purchased In 1899
Part of the de Criscio collection was purchased in 1899 through the efforts of the late Prof. Francis Kelsey of the University department of classical languages, and the rest was obtained after Fr. de Criscio's death in 1911.
Interest in the collection was first aroused here after Walter Dennison, formerly junior professor of Latin at the University, investigated the inscriptions while a fellowship student in the American School of Classical Studies in Rome.
Fr. de Criscio told Mr. Dennison that he feared his collection would be scattered after his death since none of his family was interested in archaeological collections. This led the University to purchase the collection several years later.
The University Museum of Archaeology, where a part of the collection is now on display, is open from 9 to 12 noon and 2 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays, from 9 to 12 Saturday mornings, 3 to 5 Sunday afternoons, and from 7:30 to 9:30 Friday night. It is not open on Mondays.