Tombstone of Optimus
Dublin Core
Title
Tombstone of Optimus
Subject
Tombstone of Optimus, 4th-5th century, Late Roman, Tarragona, Spain, limestone, marble, and glass paste Opus tessellatum, 162 x 83cm, Tarragona, Spain, National Archeological Museum of Tarragona.
Description
Museum Description: “A funerary mosaic and inscription found in the Early Christian Necropolis of Tarragona.
It presided over the tomb of the person depicted and referred to in the inscription. Optimus, whose name emphasizes excellence and perfection, would –according to the most widely accepted interpretation of the inscription– have been one of the first Christians in Tarragona, the head of this community and its bishop. The mosaic shows him dressed in a contabulata toga, giving a blessing and holding a volum in his left hand.”
It presided over the tomb of the person depicted and referred to in the inscription. Optimus, whose name emphasizes excellence and perfection, would –according to the most widely accepted interpretation of the inscription– have been one of the first Christians in Tarragona, the head of this community and its bishop. The mosaic shows him dressed in a contabulata toga, giving a blessing and holding a volum in his left hand.”
Source
https://www.mnat.cat/en/artwork/23/the-tombstone-of-optimus/
Publisher
National Archeological Museum of Tarragona MNAT P-2651
Files
Collection
Citation
“Tombstone of Optimus,” HAA Image Hosting, accessed June 10, 2026, https://haaimagehosting.omeka.fas.harvard.edu/items/show/367.
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