Epitaph to Claudia

hospes, quod dico paulam est; asta ac perlege

Translation:
"Stranger, what I say is brief; stand still and read."

Stylistic Point:

• Direct Address: "Hospes" (stranger) engages the reader directly, a common feature in epitaphs to draw attention.

• Conciseness: "Quod dico paulam est" reflects the brevity of life and the succinct nature of epitaphs and encourages the reader to stay as it will not take long.

• Imperatives: "Asta" (stand still) and "perlege" (read through) command the reader to pause and reflect, creating a moment of contemplation.

hic est sepulcrum haud pulchrum pulchrae feminae

Translation:
"This is not a very beautiful tomb of a beautiful woman."

Stylistic Point:

• Chiasmus: The arrangement (noun, adjective, adjective, noun) juxtaposes "pulchrum" (beautiful) and "pulchrae" (beautiful), highlighting the contrast between the tomb's simplicity and the woman's qualities.

nomen parentes nominarunt Claudiam

Translation:
"Her parents named her [with the name] Claudia."

Stylistic Point:

• Word Choice: "Nomen" is unnecessary because "nominarunt" already implies the act of naming, emphasizing redundancy for clarity or emphasis.

• Cultural Insight: "Claudia" was the family name for all the women in the Claudian gens, so the tomb's focus on her actions also reflects pride in the family's legacy.

suum maritum corde dilexit suo

Translation:
"She loved her husband with all her heart."

Stylistic Point:

• Chiasmus: The arrangement (possessive, noun, noun, possessive) creates a balanced and intimate structure, mirroring the deep and personal affection described.

• Repetition of possession: "Suum" and "suo" emphasize her personal devotion and connection to her husband.

natos duos creavit: horum alterum

Translation:
"She bore two sons: one of them..."

Stylistic Point:

• Climactic pause: The colon and incomplete statement create anticipation, emphasizing the contrast between the two sons in the following lines.

in terra linquit, alium sub terra locat

Translation:
"She leaves one on earth, the other she places beneath it."

Stylistic Point:

• Antithesis: The contrast between "in terra" (on earth) and "sub terra" (beneath the earth) underscores the loss and division within her family.

sermone lepido, tum autem incessu commodo

Translation:
"With charming speech and, moreover, with a graceful walk."

Stylistic Point:

• Contrast: The dual focus on verbal charm and physical grace presents a balanced portrayal of her character.

domum servavit, lanam fecit. dixi. abi.

Translation:
"She looked after the house, she spun wool. I have spoken. Depart."

Stylistic Point:

• Asyndeton: The lack of conjunctions between "servavit" and "fecit" highlights the simplicity and industriousness of her life.

• Epigrammatic brevity: "Dixi. Abi." (I have spoken. Depart.) is terse and final, reinforcing the humility and straightforwardness of her legacy.