Funerary Relief

Inscribed funerary relief of Aurelius Hermia and his wife Aurelia Philematius. This is one of the earliest reliefs to commemmorate the legitimate marriage of former slaves. The couple are shown as Roman citizens, a dramatic illustration of their rise in wealth and status following the grant of their freedom.
About 60BC.
From a tomb near the Via Nomentana, Rome.

British Museum, London.
April 2013.