Vatican Museums

Claudia Veneria, on land of her own property situated along a street unknown to us, arranged during her lifetime for the construction of a tomb (monumentum) enclosed by a dry stone wall (maceria) which included a garden (hortus), an adjoining inn (meritoria) and stable (stabulum) for passing travellers. The tomb was intended for the son Narcissianus, for their freedmen (liberti), and his son, with the proviso that no one should sell it, but that all users and their descendants should remain its owners and frequent it regularly, so that the asset might remain the property of the family and loved ones. This clause, widespread in ancient custom, was designed not only to keep alive the memory of the dead and ensure care for their common tomb, but also to continue the management of the inn, a source of income. It is not possible to establish what was written in the last two erased lines.