Vatican Museums

This fragmentary marble slab originally sealed a loculus or niche tomb in the Jewish catacomb of Monteverde. The epitaph, seemingly limited to the right area of the slab, bore the name of the deceased, Salutia. The Latin alphabet is used, in contrast to the clear preponderance of Greek inscriptions, although the use of Latin names is common in the Jewish community, as well as there are examples of widespread contemporary use of Greek and Semitic names. The relevance of the inscription on a Jewish tomb is shown by the presence of a large engraving, now lacking some parts, which should have occupied the entire central section of the slab: a menorāh or seven-branched candelabrum can be recognised, bearing lighted lamps in a particularly decorative arrangement; to the right of the candelabrum there is a stylised representation of the scroll of the Law (Torāh), partially unfolded and with rolled ends.