The Beginnings of Roman Epigram and Its Relationship with Hellenistic Poetry

Abstract

The elogia Scipionum are the earliest Roman epigrams we know. The oldest ones are eulogistic epitaphs, written in Saturnian verse on the burials of L. Cornelius Scipio Barbatus and of his son Lucius. The epigram for the latter (CIL 12.9) was probably written shortly after Lucius’ death (ca. 230 bce), while the poetic epitaph for the father Barbatus (CIL 12.7), carved on the tomb long after his death (ca. 270 bce), was probably inspired by the elogium of the son:1