E07467: Very fragmentary painted Latin inscription, possibly referring to *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), and *Emerentiana (virgin and martyr of Rome, S00495). Found in the Coemeterium Maius / Catacombe di Sant'Emerenziana on the via Nomentana, Rome. Probably late 4th - early 5th c. [provisional entry]
According to Armellini, the inscription can be understood as follows: '[- - -] Saint Peter, Saint Emerentiana [- - -] Damasus [- - -].' According to Wilpert, line 2 contained a reference to a certain Agnes.
Text: ICVR, n.s., VIII, no. 21593 = EDB35777.
History
Evidence ID
E07467
Saint Name
Peter, the Apostle : S00036
Emerentiana, virgin and martyr of Rome : S00495
Agnes, virgin and martyr of Rome : S00097
Letter height 4 cm. Painted red on white plaster, in the apse of cubiculum G.
Discussion
Armellini argued that the inscription was authorized by Pope Damasus, and contained references to the deceased people from this cubiculum. Ferrua was sceptical, mainly because he was unable to read the text claimed by Armellini. He was also uneasy about seeing the name of Emerentiana in the crypt, while her body rested in a basilica above, at ground level. In line 2, Wilpert saw the name of Agnes, instead of that of Damasus. Jubaru presents yet another transcription: SANCI | V...A...S [- - -] CEM...NTIANE.
Bibliography
Edition:
Epigraphic Database Bari, no. EDB35777.
see http://www.edb.uniba.it/epigraph/35777
De Rossi, G.B., Ferrua, A. (eds.) Inscriptiones Christianae Urbis Romae Septimo Saeculo Antiquiores, n.s., vol. 8: Coemeteria viarum Nomentanae et Salariae (Vatican: Pont. Institutum Archaeologiae Christianae, 1983), no. 21593 (with further bibliography).