E04648: Fragmentary Latin inscription with a poem commemorating the refurbishment of the crypt of *Cornelius (bishop and martyr of Rome, S00172) by pope Damasus, apparently to make it better accessible to visitors. Found in the 'crypt of Saint Cornelius' at the Cemetery of Callistus, between the Via Appia and Via Ardeatina (Rome). 366-384.

Damasus, Epigrammata 19 (ICVR IV, 9368)

The text, as preserved on the stone:

[---]to teneb[ri]sq(ue) [f]ugatis
[--- t]umulu[mq(ue)] sacratum
[--- Da]masi pra[es]tantia fecit
[--- me]lior po[pu]lisq(ue) paratum
[--- v]aleas si [f]undere puro
[---] melior consurgere posset
[---]r tenuit mage cura laboris

'[- - -] the darkness expelled
[- - -] and the sacred tomb
[- - -] the insistence of Damasus carried out this work
[- - -] would be made better available to the crowds
[- - -] if you were able to pour out pure
[- - -] may get up (?) having recovered
[- - -] the concern for this work which detained him

Text: Trout 2015, no. 19 (p. 119). Translation: Lapidge 2018, 642, adapted.


The text, as hypothetically restored by Giovanni Battista de Rossi:

[Aspice, descensu extruc]to teneb[ri]sq(ue) [f]ugatis
[Corneli monumenta vides t]umulu[mq(ue) sa]cratum.
[Hoc opus aegroti Da]masi pra[es]tantia fecit,
[esset ut accessus me]lior po[pu]lisq(ue) paratum
[auxilium sancti, et v]aleas si [f]undere puro
[corde preces, Damasus] melior consurgere posset,
[quem non lucis amo]r, tenuit mage cura laboris.

'Look: you can see the monument of Cornelius and his sacred tomb,
now that a staircase has been constructed and the darkness expelled.
The insistence of Damasus, though ill, carried out this work
so that access (to the tomb) would be better, and the saint's assistance would be
made available to the crowds; and, if you are able to pour out prayers
with a pure heart, Damasus may get up having recovered – it was not
the love of light but rather the concern for this work which detained him.'


Text: de Rossi 1864, 291. Translation: Lapidge 2018, 642.