Carthaginian Tombstone for Maximilla Bassi

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Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
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published on 16 June 2016
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Carthaginian Tombstone for Maximilla Bassi Download Full Size Image

This finely carved limestone monument was set up in a memory for a woman called Maximilla Bassi. The Latin inscription says "Maximilla Bassi, Pious daughter, lived nineteen years. Here she is placed". After the Roman annexation of Carthage in 146 BCE, it became more fashionable to use Latin for inscriptions, although Phoenician remained the everyday language used. The shallow niche is carved with an image of a female figure wearing a pleated tunic and mantle, presumably Maximilla. She also wears pendent earrings and a necklace. From Carthage, modern-day Tunisia. Punic, 2nd to 3rd century CE. (The British Museum, London)

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About the Author

Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.

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APA Style

Amin, O. S. M. (2016, June 16). Carthaginian Tombstone for Maximilla Bassi. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5212/carthaginian-tombstone-for-maximilla-bassi/

Chicago Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Carthaginian Tombstone for Maximilla Bassi." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified June 16, 2016. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5212/carthaginian-tombstone-for-maximilla-bassi/.

MLA Style

Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "Carthaginian Tombstone for Maximilla Bassi." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 16 Jun 2016. Web. 17 Mar 2025.

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