CHAPTER VI.

THEIR INSCRIPTIONS.

Number and importance of ancient Christian inscriptions—Destruction of very many of them—Preservation of others by the Popes—Points of resemblance to Pagan epitaphs—Points of difference—Absence of any token of social distinctions—Birth of Christian epigraphy—Active love its chief characteristic—Prayer for the dead—Prayer to the Saints—Examples—Other characteristics of later epitaphs—Age—Date of death—Unmeaning titles of praise—Words used to denote death, _in pace_, _contra votum_, &c. 108