The Christian’s view of death is always, in striking contrast to the sullen resignation or blank despair of paganism, full of cheerfulness and hope. Its rugged front is veiled under softest synonyms. The grave was considered merely as the temporary resting place of the body, while the freed spirit was regarded as already rejoicing in the presence of God in a broader day, and brighter light, and fairer fields than those of earth. The following examples will illustrate the pious orthodoxy of these early Christian epitaphs.
ABIIT ETHERIAM CVPIENS CAELI CONSCENDERE LVCEM. (A. D. 383.)
She departed, desiring to ascend to the ethereal light of heaven.
LIMINA MORTIS ADIIT
EVTVCHIVS SAPIENS PIVS ADQ BENIGNVS
IN CHRISTVM CREDENS PREMIA LVCIS ABET. (sic.) A. D. 393.
Eutuchius, wise, pious, and kind, believing in Christ, entered the portals of death, (and) has the rewards of the light (of heaven).
DVLCIS ET INNOCES (sic) HIC DORMIT SEVERIANVS SOMNO PACIS...
CVIVS SPIRITVS IN LVCE DOMINI SVSCEPTVS EST. (A. D. 393.)
Here sleeps in the sleep of peace the sweet and innocent Severianus, whose spirit is received into the light of the Lord.
HIC IACET VRBICA SVABIS (sic) SEMPERQ. PVDICA
VIXIT VERBORVM VERA LOQVVTA (sic) IN SEMPITERNALE
AEVVM QVIESCIT SECVRA. (A. D. 397.)
Here lies Urbica, agreeable and ever modest. She lived a speaker of truth. She rests free from care throughout endless time.