Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker
Coordinates | 41°53′29.16″N 12°30′55.08″E / 41.8914333°N 12.5153000°E |
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The tomb of Marcus Vergilius Eurysaces the baker is one of the largest and best-preserved freedman funerary monuments in
Three sides of the slightly trapezoidal structure remain largely intact. All have the same form, with a plain lower storey now mostly below ground level but exposed, consisting of pairs of engaged columns between flat vertical slabs, all crammed together with no space in between. The effect is far from the classical orders; at the corners the slabs turn to pilasters rising at the top level to unorthodox capitals combining scrolls at the sides with plant forms in the centre.[2] There are unusual circular openings in the topmost storey, now thought to represent kneading-basins or grain-measuring vessels. Below a cornice is the frieze, with continuous scenes in relief showing the operation of the bakery where Eurysaces made what was evidently a considerable fortune. Reconstructions imagine a gently rising roof above this, now lost.[3]
Marcus Vergilius Eurysaces
Although there is no conclusive statement on the monument that Eurysaces was a
The slightly later Pyramid of Cestius is another individualistic tomb for an evidently wealthy man outside the traditional élite; in this case it perhaps referred to his taking part in campaigns in Nubia.
Setting
Burial within the
Monument
The tomb, dwarfed by the later Aqua Claudia, rises to a height of some thirty-three feet. Of concrete faced with travertine on a tufa base, it stands as a monument both to Eurysaces and, through the frieze, to the wider profession of baking. The style, very different from the classical Roman styles of tombs, makes Eurysaces' tomb stand out.
The surviving part of the inscription reads EST HOC MONIMENTVM MARCEI VERGILEI EVRYSACIS PISTORIS REDEMPTORIS APPARET, or in English, "This is the monument of Marcus Vergilius Eurysaces, baker, contractor, public servant."[1] While the final word in this quote, "Apparet", is often translated as public servant, the actual Latin word for a public servant is appāritor; the term can also apply to a gatekeeper, perhaps punning on the tomb's location. Appāret is a verb meaning "appears, makes apparent", this translation however does not seem to fit the rest of the inscription. The word Apparet is yet to be translated within the context of this quotation.
In the BBC documentary Meet the Romans with Mary Beard, professor Mary Beard translates appāret as "it's obvious!" Beard suggests appāret is signalling a joke, as if to say "get it?!". Thus Beard translates the epitaph as "This is the monument of Marcus Vergilius Eurysaces, baker, contractor, it's obvious."[12]
A relief representing various stages of bread production runs along the top of the tomb.[13] The relief depicts, on the south side, the delivery and grinding of grain and sifting of flour; on the north, the mixing and kneading of dough, forming of round loaves, and baking in a domed "pizza-type" oven; and, on the west, the stacking of loaves in baskets and their being taken for weighing.[4][10]
Related finds
During demolition of the superimposed
Freedmen's Tombs
This tomb may be one of many lavish tombs created by freedmen. These men were originally slaves, who then gained their freedom and became Roman citizens. Freedom could be granted by their masters for their hard work, or be bought through their peculia, or earnings. Upon becoming free, they were still subjected to some service to their former masters. However, they were proud of their work as it was the means by which they gained their freedom. Because of this, they many times created lavish funerary monuments, such as Eurysaces' tomb. Outside their former owners, these freedmen had no official family lines, which were important in Roman society. Therefore, these tombs may have been attempts at beginning a family history for future generations to appreciate.
See also
Notes
- ^ OGULNIUS PISTOR SIMI(laginarius) / AMICUS [Eurysacis?] or "Ogulnius, baker, flour-dealer, friend [of Eurysaces?]"
- ^ FVIT ATISTIA VXOR MIHEI / FEMINA OPITVMA VEIXSIT / QVOIVS CORPORIS RELIQVAE / QVOD SVPERANT SVNT IN / HOC PANARIO or "Atistia was my wife; a most excellent lady in life; the surviving remains of her body are in this breadbasket"
References
- ^ ISBN 0199256497.
- ^ The capitals are more typical of interior decoration in paint or stucco than a large stone facade. They are a sort of anticipation of the Composite order, usually traced to somewhat later.
- ^ "Rome, Tomb of Eurysaces, model - Livius".
- ^ JSTOR 3177343.
- ISBN 9780521858892.
- ISBN 9780521016599.
- ISBN 9780521763653.
- ISBN 9788882652906.
- ^ Jashemski, Wilhelmina (1971). "Tomb Gardens at Pompeii". The Classical Journal. 66 (2). Classical Association of the Middle West and South: 97–115.
- ^ ISBN 0192880039.
- ISBN 9780520079601.
- ^ "Episode one: All Roads Lead to Rome". Meet the Romans with Mary Beard. Episode Episode one: All Roads Lead to Rome. April 2012. 30:50 minutes in. BBC.
- ^ "Sepolcro di Marco Virgilio Eurysace". Sovraintendenza ai Beni Culturali. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
Further reading
- Ciancio Rossetto, Paola (1973). Il sepolcro del fornaio Marco Virgilio Eurisace a Porta Maggiore. Rome: ISBN 9788873110675.
External links
- Lucentini, M. (31 December 2012). The Rome Guide: Step by Step through History's Greatest City. Interlink. ISBN 9781623710088.
Media related to Tomb of Eurysaces (Rome) at Wikimedia Commons
Preceded by Pyramid of Cestius |
Landmarks of Rome Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker |
Succeeded by Tomb of Hilarus Fuscus |