THE FIRST SIX CENTURIES. 25 



palm-branchj also, were interpreted as baving similar significance, but 

 these theories have not stood investigation. The figure in prayer is 

 certainly a proof of Christianity, but the erown and the palm-branch 

 are found on Pagan tomb-stones. See Muratori Nov. Thesaur., 

 1828, 5, Antiq. Ital. diss. LVIII; Raoul Rochette, Mem. sur les 

 Antiq. Chret. p. ii. § 2 ; Cardinal Mai, Vet. Script. Nov. Collect. V, 

 p. 3, n. 1 ; and De Rossi, n. 30. 



No symbol has so far been suggested as a criterion of martyrdom, 

 that has been universally accepted by scholars. And yet there are at 

 present few, if any, who would give their assent to Dodwell's opinions 

 de paucitate Marti/rum, or to Burnet's views, in his " Letters from 

 Switzerland, &c.," regarding the identity of the catacombs and piiticuli. 



Birds form one of the favorite decorations of Christian tombstones. 

 The most common of these is the dove, represented singly or in pairs, 

 with or without a branch in the mouth, sometimes perched on a tree, 

 sometimes pecking at a bunch of grapes, and sometimes standing on a 

 vase. Singly it has been regarded as the emblem of peace or of simpli. 

 city — in pairs it may have been, in some cases, the symbol of affection. 

 It is Jewish in its origin, and was, doubtless, derived from the history 

 of Noah. Two other birds are occasionally represented, the peacock 

 and the phoenix. They are both Pagan in their origio, but were used 

 by Christians as symbolical of the resurrection. 



Qin) Interval between death and burial : — 100. 



DN • MAGNO MAXIMO AVO • II CONSS 

 III IDVS MAIAS FATVM FECIT LEO ET 

 DEPOSITVS PRIDIE IDVS MAIAS BENE 

 MERENTI IN PACE 



{E coem. Cp'iacce ; De Rossi, n. 3'74.) 

 Domino Nostra Magna Maxima Augusto iteriim Consule, III Idus 

 Maias Jatum fecit Lea et deposiius p?idie Idus 3Iaias. Bene merenti 

 in pace. 



" In the second Consulship of our Lord Magnus Maximus Augustus {i. e. 388 

 A. D.), on the tliird day before the Ides of May {i. e. May 13th), Leo died, and 

 was buried on the day before tlie Ides of May {i. e. May 14th). To him well 

 deserving in peace." 



1. 2. Fatum fecit. This rare expression for defunctus est is found 

 in some other Christian epitaphs. See Corsini, Not. Grsec Diss, ii^ 

 p. XXIY. 



