The inscriptions of the Isola Sacra cemetery
The inscriptions of the Isola Sacra cemetery form a very interesting entity,
because many of them are still in situ and the place of origin is known for
several other examples. The cemetery grew along the road that led from
Portus to Ostia. In the excavations about 150 monumental tombs were found as
well as many more modest burials. Still only a part of the cemetery has been
excavated.
A reseach group of the Institutum Romanum Finlandiae in Rome is preparing a
new edition of the Latin inscriptions from the Isola Sacra cemetery. The
earlier edition was published by Hilding Thylander in 1952. The group is led
by Anne Helttula from the University of Helsinki and the other members are
Tryggve Gestrin, Maijastina Kahlos, Reija Pentti-Tuomisto, Pekka Tuomisto,
Raija Vainio and Risto Valjus from the universities of Helsinki and Turku.
A thorough rereading of all the remaining inscriptions has brought up many
corrections and additions to the readings. To the edition we will include
articles concerning various topics like ortografy and other linguistic
matters, formulas used, paleografy, onomastics, matters concerning the right
of burial and the social standing and relations of the people. The purpose
of the articles is to gather together and analyse the information that the
inscriptions contain.
Risto Valjus
University of Helsinki