Theta nigrum

Retiarius vs Secutor, the two gladiators lying are dead, as signified by the theta nigrum.

The theta nigrum (lit. 'black theta') or theta infelix (lit. 'unlucky theta') is a symbol of death in Greek and Latin epigraphy.[1] Isidore of Seville notes the letter was appended after the name of a deceased soldier and finds of papyri containing military records have confirmed this use.[1] Additionally it can be seen in the Gladiator Mosaic.

The term theta nigrum was coined by Theodor Mommsen. It consists of a circle with a diagonal line. The theta signified Thanatos, the Greek deity of death.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Mednikarova, Iveta (2001). "The Use of Θ in Latin Funerary Inscriptions". Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik. 136: 267–276. JSTOR 20190914.
  2. ^ Robertson, William (1824). A Dictionary of Latin Phrases (in Latin and English). p. 229. OCLC 908034483. Retrieved 13 June 2023 – via Google Books. Nigrum præfigere theta; nam theta, Θ, præfigere, sumitur pro damnare, apud Persium: Et potis es vitio nigrum præfigere theta; (quippe theta, Θ, apud Græcos prima litera est nominis, Θάνατος, mors [...]


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