Anima, Spiritus, Mens in Sepulchral Inscriptions from the Carmina Latina Epigraphica. Philological Approximations

The subject of this study is the meaning words anima, spiritus and mens in metrical sepulchral inscriptions Carmina Latina Epigraphica collection published at end 19th century by Franz Buecheler. This comprises almost 1,900 texts, which around 1,400 are funerary and, particularly, inscriptions. article consists three sections. first contains general comments on Roman second, most important part uses a conventional philological method to analyze source texts that denote immaterial aspect human being continues after death. analysis reveals word anima occurs about 80 times, – 20, only times. These stand for what usually expressed “soul,” is, spiritual, being. Conclusions presented gradually as analytical compilation proceeds. Firstly, there no semantic difference between spiritus; although animus close discussed paper does not occur sense Secondly, both pagan Christian emphasize dichotomy or corpus caro (alternatively membra); some inscriptions, pointing dichotomy, express belief resurrection. Thirdly, despite beliefs, worshipers Christians used very similar patterns statements posthumous fate soul, example, astra tenent animam, fovent migravit ad tenet, petit astra, caeli perget means language did develop its distinct terminology several centuries. third section brief summary carried out.