Funerary inscriptions do not dwell exclusively on life stories, but they also provide insights on beliefs surrounding the afterlife. What was the afterlife like for the Greeks? In this episode, we will talk about Hades, the Greek ‘Hell’, a place filled with melancholy and lament placed in the depths of the earth. Some, however, had doubts regarding its existence. The inscription that we are reading today comes from Rome and is dated to the imperial age: it voices some nihilism and skepticism towards traditional mythology surrounding the afterlife.

Details of the inscription: GVI 1906 = IGUR 1245. The translation of the inscription is ours. The book mentioned is R. Garland, “The Greek way of Death” (London 1985). The epigram by Callimachus is A.P. 7.524 = 13 Gow-Page (translation is ours).

This episode was written by Davide Massimo in collaboration with James Hua; reading by James Hua; soundtrack by Gilberto Bartoloni.