E05170: Latin epitaph, with Greek elements, for a boy whose soul is 'with the saints'. Found in the cemetery 'in vinea Eustachiorum', via Latina, Rome. Probably 4th c.

The epitaph is accompanied by the Greek word ἰχθύς/'fish', which was a symbol of Christ, and as an acronym was expanded to: Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς θεοῦ υἱὸς σωτήρ/'Jesus Christ, son of God, the Saviour'.

ΙΧΘΥC
Ι Postumius Euthenion fidelis qui gratia sancta consecutus
Χ pridie natali suo serotina hora reddit debitum vitae suae qui vixit
Θ annis sex et depositus V idus iulias die Iovis quo et natus est cuius
Υ anima cum sanctos in pace filio benemerenti Postumii Felicissimus
C ν(ικᾷ?) e Euthenia Festa avia ipseius

2. gratia consecutus EDB, probably by error || 6. Ν = νεοφωτίστων or νεοκτίστων Dölger || νικᾷ Buonarotti, Ferrua, EDB For minor differences in the text as presented by different editors, see the apparatus in ICVR

'Postumius Euthenion, the faithful, who received the holy grace on the day before his birthday, (and) died (the same day), in the evening. He lived six years and was buried on the 5th day before the ides of July, on a Thursday, on which (day) he was also born, whose soul is in peace with the saints. To (their) son, Postumius, well-deserving one, Felicissimus and Euthenia, and Festa his grandmother (dedicated this).

Text: ICVR, n.s., VI, no. 15634 = EDB3909.