Formulae used in funerary inscriptions in Algeria in the Roman period

Abstract

The Latin inscriptions discovered in Algeria represent very important documents to study the African societies during the roman period. The Latin gravestones, including pagan and Christian ones formed the biggest number; they vary between the simple forms, dedicated generally to Manes (death gods) to another defined and carefully chosen, especially the poetic funeral epigraphy “carmina”. The selected examples presented in this paper concern only Ancient Algeria, hence the choice of the title. However, we brought some remarks on the specific funerary formula in other African provinces.

We notice that the society of African Roman cities followed the trend of romanization, with various formulae and expressions that we find in different regions of the Roman Empire, but with some peculiarities. Among the most important features and differences are the extensive use of some expressions in pagan funeral inscriptions that may not fulfill the expected meaning in its narrow sense. Moreover, some formula very common in Christian gravestones gradually replaced the previous ones common during heathenism.

An attempt to understand and to deal with the study of the African society of the Roman through the funeral epigraphy period is necessary, but could be very difficult.

Key words: Latin, Formula, funerary, inscriptions, Carmina.