Tombstone of Rufus Sita, a Roman Cavalryman
Mid First Century AD, about 1.5 metres high
This is the tombstone of a Roman auxiliary cavalryman. It shows the dead man on horseback, trampling over his enemy. He wears a helmet and carries a shield, a spear and a sword. The details of his clothes and armour were probably painted on, but have now disappeared.
The inscription can be translated as:
"Rufus Sita, cavalryman of the 6th Cohort of Thracians. 40 years old and 22 years of military service. His heirs had this made in accordance with his will. Here He Lies" Click on the inscription on the picture for more details.
At the top of the stone is a sphinx, the guardian of the dead, and two lions representing the jaws of death.
