Key research themes
1. How do Latin sepulchral inscriptions articulate and evolve concepts of the soul and immaterial afterlife in pagan and Christian contexts?
This thematic area focuses on the philological and semantic analysis of key Latin terms—anima, spiritus, mens—that denote the immaterial parts of human beings continuing after death, exploring their usage and conceptual development in Latin epitaphs from the Carmina Latina Epigraphica corpus. Understanding these terms reveals how notions of the soul and afterlife were represented across pagan and Christian funerary texts, highlighting continuities and subtle differences in religious thought and funerary poetics in the Roman world.
2. What role do material features of Latin funerary epitaphs play in facilitating ongoing interaction between the living and the dead?
This research theme investigates how the physical design and interactive elements of Latin epitaphs—including libation conduits (infundibula) and epigraphic inscriptions framed as direct address—enable ritual engagement between visitors and the deceased. It sheds light on the performative and sensory dimensions of commemorative practices in Roman funerary culture, emphasizing the role of epitaphs as mediators of social memory and as dynamic thresholds for communication beyond death.
3. How do Latin epitaphs reveal social identity, professional roles, and cultural perceptions in Roman society?
This theme explores Latin epitaphs as sources illuminating the social status, gender roles, professions, and cultural values of the deceased, particularly marginalized or specialized groups such as mime actresses or soldiers. It considers epitaphs not only as memorials but as performative assertions of identity and honor within Roman social frameworks, offering insights into how commemoration articulates power, gender, and socio-professional narratives.