The Grave of Maria, Wife of Euplous: A Christian Epitaph Reconsidered

by Mary E. Hoskin Walbank and Michael B. Walbank

Hesperia, Volume 75, Issue 2
Page(s): 267-288
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25067985
Year: 2006
VIEW ONLINE

ABSTRACT:

A well-known epitaph for Maria, wife of Euplous, excavated at Corinth in 1931 and originally dated to the late 4th century, has been described as "incompetent" and unworthy of the substantial cost of the grave. We show that it was carefully engraved in two stages in the Justinianic era, a date confirmed by reevaluation of the site and the lamps found with the grave. We suggest a new interpretation of the text, and consider the occupations of the seller and the purchaser of the grave in the context of 6th-century Corinth. Criteria for dating Early Christian Corinthian epitaphs are proposed in an appendix.