interesting funerary inscription

[Constantius]

Aurelius Gaius, son of the same, I served in Legio I Italica of
the Moesians, was selected for Legio VIII Augusta in Germany
and the [Legio I] Iovia Scythica in the provinces of Scythia and
Pannonia. As a recruit I served as an apprentice cavalryman,

then as a

lanciarius, optio triarius, optio ordinatus, optio princeps, and

optio

of the imperial comites [drawn from?] Legio I Iovia Scythica.

I travelled around the empire, to Asia [?], Caria, [missing

region], Lydia, Lycaonia, Cilicia, [missing region], Phoenicia,

Syria, Arabia, Palestine, Egypt, Alexandria, India, [missing region],

Mesopotamia, Cappadocia, [missing region], Galatia, Bithynia,
Thrace, [missing region], Moesia, the Carpians’ territory, [missing
region], Sarmatia four times, Viminacium, [missing region],
the Goths’ territory twice, Germany, [missing region], Dardania,
Dalmatia, Pannonia, [missing region], Gaul, Spain, Mauretania,
and [missing region]. Then advancing and after much toil
I came to my native land Pessinus where I was brought up, [and
am now] dwelling in Cotyaeum

. . . with [my daughter?] Macedonia.

In tribute to Julia [Are]scusa my dearest [wife] I have erected

this stele from the fruits of my own labours as a memorial till the

Resurrection. Farewell all.

1

The inscription is from a funeral monument of a legionary serving at time of Constantine, just gives a snap shot of just how much fighting the average legionary may of participated in.

note [ ' ' ] indicate damge and missing information on tomb

[Diocle]

Very suggestive find Constantius! I Italica, VIII Augusta, I Iovia Scythica! What a soldier! How many miles he run, and then he found the way to home, a wife, a daugther and the pride of having the money to pay for the grave! A good man, one of those who spended their lives defending Rome and the Western Civilization near to the end. We always think this monuments like historical objects, but for me they are more, this inscription is more interesting than many history books, it tells us a true story of an entire life, using the simple words of a simple, honest and honorable man! Thanks Constantius for me this is a real gift!

+ rep!

[Constantius]

Its always great to read something from the lowly soldier, get a real sense of the man

[Diocle]

Constatius do you have also the Latin text, it might be interesting!
The use of the word Resurrection implies he is a Christian, and 'farewell all' is: 'Vale atque vale' or something similar?

[Constantius]

http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institu.../index.html.en
This is. great site for Lain inscriptiions

[tomySVK]

Interesting link and very interestingtomb inscription.Thanks.

[Renatus]

Constatius do you have also the Latin text, it might be interesting!

The inscription is in Greek. It is published with a commentary in French in Th. Drew-Bear, 'Les voyages d'Aurélius Gaius, soldat de Dioclétien' in La Géographie Administrative et Politique d'Alexandre à Mahomet: Actes du Colloque de Strasbourg 14-16 juin 1979, Leiden, 1981, pp. 96-141.