Translation of Abercius' Tombstone

In a recent post for Biblical Archeology Review, I describe the famous, second-century inscription on the gravestone of Abercius, a Phrygian Christian who died around 190 C. E. Since most online translations seemed dated, I included a fresh translation of the epigram, copied below for public access and use.

A citizen of an elect city, I constructed this tombstone while still alive, so that I might have a notable resting place for my body here. I am Abercius, a disciple of the holy shepherd, who pastures his sheep on the mountains and plains, and who has great eyes that see everything. For he himself taught me trustworthy texts.

He sent me to Rome to behold the royal city, to see a queen with golden robes and golden sandals. I saw there a people having a shining seal. And I saw the land of Syria and all its cities, including Nisibis beyond the Euphrates.

Everywhere I had fellow brothers, and Paul accompanied me in my wagon. Faith led me everywhere, and everywhere it provided me fish from a great, pure spring. A virgin caught the fish and gave it to friends to always eat, along with good wine mixed with bread.

Abercius stood and dictated these things to be inscribed. I lived 72 years, indeed. May those who understand and approve these words pray for Abercius.

No one shall place another body in my tomb. But if someone does, he shall deposit 2,000 gold coins into the Roman treasury and 1,000 gold coins into my good hometown of Hierapolis.

For more about the inscription and tombstone, including its amazing discovery, visit https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/inscriptions/tombstone-of-abercius/.

The fragments of Abercius' original tombstone, in the Museo Pio Cristiano in Rome. Photo by Fabrizio Garrisi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.