Iscrizioni delle Camere sepolcrali de' Liberti e Servi, ec. della Famiglia di Augusto, XXXV 1756 - 1785

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this engraving, Iscrizioni delle Camere sepolcrali de' Liberti e Servi, in the 18th century. Piranesi was known for his detailed depictions of Roman architecture and ruins. This work catalogs inscriptions from the tomb chambers of freedmen and servants of the family of Augustus. The graphic rendering is evocative of the power structures of ancient Rome, where social status was meticulously recorded even in death. Piranesi invites us to consider the lives of those often overlooked by history. What was life like for those who served powerful families? These fragmented inscriptions remind us of the precariousness of existence. Yet, by documenting these names and titles, Piranesi acknowledges the identities of individuals who would otherwise be lost to time. The emotional resonance lies in contemplating the humanity of these figures, their struggles, and their stories that echo through the ages.