EPITAPH (Gr. errtriufrn, epitaphios, funeral, from firi, epi, upon, and racevc, taphos, tomb), an inscription upon a tomb. The earliest known are those upon Egyptian sarcophagi. Epitaphs are common among many people, and arose, in all probability, out of the desire to commemorate the dead. They were in use among both the Greeks and Romans. Many of the later Greek epitaphs were of considerable length, while those of the Romans commonly recorded only brief particulars regarding the deceased. The tombs of the Romans were placed near the highways, and their epitaphs generally commenced with Sta victor! (Stop, traveler!). On Christian tombstones epitaphs frequently express the pious hopes of survivors in reference to the doctrines of the Christian faith. In the catacombs of Rome, which were made a place of refuge by the persecuted Chris tians under the pagan emperors, are many re markable epitaphs of this description. Among memorable epitaphs, one of the happiest, is that of Sir Christopher Wren, in Saint Pauls, Lon don, of which he was the architect: The following is the epitaph of a Roman matron: Domurn servasu, Lamm; fait.
" She kept the house and span the wool." Sta, viator: heroem cakes, " Traveler, pause: thou treadest upon a hero," has been ascribed both to Montecuculi and to Gen. Merci.
Sufficit huic tumulus, cui non ssofecerat °rills.— " This tomb suffices for him for whom the world did not suffice," was the epitaph of Alexander the Great.
Count Tessin, a governor under Gustavus III of Sweden, ordered the words Tandem Mix, " Happy at last " to be inscribed on his tomb. The following is Sir Isaac Newton's epitaph: Isaacson Newton, Quern insmortalem Testantur Tempus, Natura, Caloton.
Mortalem hoc Marmot, Fatetur.
" This marble acknowledges Isaac Newton mortal, to whose immortality time, nature, and heaven bear witness." Saint Anne's Church, at Cracow, has the fol lowing suggestive epitaph, dedicated by Count Sierakowski to Copernicus: Sta, sot. ne Immure. " Stand, 0 sun! move not." Many so-called epitaphs are merely epigrams, never intended for serious use as monumental inscriptions. Among such may be cited that of Piron, on Marshal de Belle-Isle, who was buried next to Turenne: Ci-gtt le glorieux a cal de la gloire. " Here beside glory lies the vainglorious."