Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: funerary stele

The oppidum of the Celtic Alobroges became a Roman colony about 47 BC under Julius Caesar, but the Allobroges managed to expel the Romans. The exiles moved north and founded the colony of Lugdunum (today's Lyon). During the early Empire, Vienna regained all its former privileges as a Roman colony. The city flourished and became the second capital of southern Gaul during the Roman Empire. The first Christians lived in Vienne around 100 AD. In the 3rd century, the city became a bishopric. After the death of the childless last Burgundian king Rudolf III. Vienne fell in 1032 to the German king Conrad II and thus to the Holy Roman Empire. In the 12th century, Vienne became the capital of the Dauphiné. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Vienne experienced an economic boom, numerous houses were built in the half-timbered style of the time, and the cathedral was completed. During the Wars of Religion, the city was fought over and frequently looted. Founded in the 5th century by Bishop Mamert, the Saint-Pierre church became an abbey in the 6th century. It served as a funerary basilica until the 13th century and was then the privileged burial place of the bishops of Vienne. It is claimed that this church is one of the oldest in France. The church has retained its original basilica plan and structured nave. Monastic life ended with the French Revolution. In 1806, the city took possession of the church and set up the first municipal museum there in 1809. A bear roaming in a vineyard and chased away by the farmer. A detail from a funerary stele. Vienne - Musée archéologique Saint-Pierre de Vienne The oppidum of the Celtic Alobroges became a Roman colony about 47 BC under Julius Caesar, but the Allobroges managed to expel the Romans. The exiles moved north and founded the colony of Lugdunum (today's Lyon). During the early Empire, Vienna regained all its former privileges as a Roman colony. The city flourished and became the second capital of southern Gaul during the Roman Empire. The first Christians lived in Vienne around 100 AD. In the 3rd century, the city became a bishopric. After the death of the childless last Burgundian king Rudolf III. Vienne fell in 1032 to the German king Conrad II and thus to the Holy Roman Empire. In the 12th century, Vienne became the capital of the Dauphiné. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Vienne experienced an economic boom, numerous houses were built in the half-timbered style of the time, and the cathedral was completed. During the Wars of Religion, the city was fought over and frequently looted. Founded in the 5th century by Bishop Mamert, the Saint-Pierre church became an abbey in the 6th century. It served as a funerary basilica until the 13th century and was then the privileged burial place of the bishops of Vienne. It is claimed that this church is one of the oldest in France. The church has retained its original basilica plan and structured nave. Monastic life ended with the French Revolution. In 1806, the city took possession of the church and set up the first municipal museum there in 1809. A bear roaming in a vineyard and chased away by the farmer. A detail from a funerary stele.

Civaux, a village with a population of about 1000, has a history rooting very deep. Humans populated the area already, when stepp bisons and mammoths were hunted. Many "pre-historic" artefacts have been excavated in and around Civaux, proving that this place was inhabited over tens of thousands of years. A settlement stood on the site of the village in Gallo-Roman times, and there are still traces of Roman temples. Excavations have revealed the sites of a theater (capacity 3000), a fortified camp, and the foundations of many villas. This has been a place of very early christianisation. The funeral stele, seen here, has been found , a pagan temple and a very early baptisterium were excavated next to the church. A polygonal pse was probably built as will around 400, what actually means that this church, dedicated to Saint Gervais and Saint Protais is one of the oldest in France. At that time a kind of pilgrimage must have developed. The relics of Saint Gervais and Saint Protais had been miraculously discovered by Saint Ambrose in Milan in 386, so the saints got very popular in Merovingian times, but that does not explain the enigma of Civaux. The village stands in the center of a huge merovingian necropolis. As the many sarcophagi were sold as water basins or troughs in later time, the exact number of graves is unknown. Serious estimations are between 15.000 and 20.000 graves. There are parallels to nearby Saint Pierre in Cauvigny (16 kms north). The same colours as in Chauvigny were used here during the restauration of the interior. This stele was found here and is now mounted into the wall of the apse. It is dated to the end of the 4th century and is probably one of the oldest traces of Christianity in the Poitou. The inscription below the Chi-Rho symbol reads AETERNALIS ET SERVILLA VIVATIS IN DEO Aeternatis and Servilla lived in God.

Civaux, a village with a population of about 1000, has a history rooting very deep. Humans populated the area already, when stepp bisons and mammoths were hunted. Many "pre-historic" artefacts have been excavated in and around Civaux, proving that this place was inhabited over tens of thousands of years. A settlement stood on the site of the village in Gallo-Roman times, and there are still traces of Roman temples. Excavations have revealed the sites of a theater (capacity 3000), a fortified camp, and the foundations of many villas. This has been a place of very early christianisation. A funeral stele has been found dating to around 400, a pagan temple and a very early baptisterium were excavated next to the church. A polygonal apse was probably built as will around 400, what actually means that this church, dedicated to Saint Gervais and Saint Protais is one of the oldest in France. At that time a kind of pilgrimage must have developed. The relics of Saint Gervais and Saint Protais had been miraculously discovered by Saint Ambrose in Milan in 386, so the saints got very popular in Merovingian times, but that does not explain the enigma of Civaux. The village stands in the center of a huge merovingian necropolis. As many sarcophagi were sold as water basins or troughs in later time, the exact number of graves is unknown. Serious estimations are between 15.000 and 20.000 graves. Special thanks to the lady of the "Archaeological Museum Civaux", who helped me a lot. A funerary stele from late Roman times, found in Civaux. A person holding a spade (oar or walking stick), accompanied by a child with holding a little bag (?). Mother and child? www.tourisme-vienne.com/en/activite/88/musee-archeologique