Husband, and Husband, and Wife: Lesbia, Anchialus & Spurius, CIL 6.21200

Husband, and Husband, and Wife: The Tombstone of Lesbia

Name:  Unknown Date:  Unknown Region:  Rome [modern Italy] Citation:  CIL 6.21200

Stranger, if you have any empathy,

Stand a while and weep.

The wretched bones that you see buried here are mine.

My character was praised

And my beauty was praised

By Anchialus, who now is overcome by stress.

I am Lesbia,  

Leaving behind only my sweet disposition

And the lifestyle I lived in service.

If you ask my name, I am Lesbia;

If you ask the name of my two lovers,

It’s sweet Anchialus and his delightful Spurius.

 

Husband, and Husband, and Wife: The Tombstone of Lesbia

Hospes, sta et lacrima, si quid humanitas in te est,

ossa dum cernis consita maesta mihi

cuius laudati mores et forma probata est

Anchialo, quem cura anxia debilitat.

Lesbia sum quae dulcis mores sola reliqui

et quod vitam vivens parui in officiis.

Sed nomen quaeris, sum Lebia, si duo amantes,

Anchialus dulcis cum suave homine Spurio.