Rheinisches Landesmuseum Bonn

Gravestone of Desideratus, 5th century AD. Found 1882/83 in an early medieval graveyard in Kobern-Gondorf. The birds and the Christogram symbolize the Christian message of salvation. This shows that the Romans living here were Christians. The Latin name Desideratus ("the desired one") reveals the deep love of his parents. While the text stands in the Greco-Roman tradition, the the conception of the afterlife is fully Christian: Hope for Paradise brings comfort.

DVRA QVIDEM FRANGIT PARVORVM MORTE PARENTES
CONDICIO RAPIDO PR <V> AECIPITATA GRADV
SPES AETERNA TAMEM TREBVET SOLACIA LVCTVS
AETATES TENERAS QV(O)D PARADISVS ABET N[VM
SEX SVPER ADIECTIS AD NONVM MENSEBVS A[N
CONDITVS HOC TVMOLO DESSIDERATE IACES

"With the bitter death of the little ones, the quick pace of fate hurts the parents indeed. However, eternal hope gives comfort in mourning; Paradise promises eternal youth to us. Only six months added themselves to the nine years. Safe in the grave, Desideratus, you lie here."

Our English translation of the inscription is based on the museum's German translation: "Mit dem bitteren Tod der Kleinen trifft die Eltern zwar das schnellen Schrittes jäh hereinbrechende Schicksal. Ewige Hoffnung jedoch spendet Trost in der Trauer; ewige Jugend verheißt uns ja das Paradies. Sechs Monate fügten sich nur zu den neun Jahren hinzu. Geborgen im Grab, Desideratus, liegst Du hier."

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