Adelphia

Clarissima femina
Comitissa / Countess (?)
A medallion depicting Adelphia and her husband Valerius
Born3rd or 4th century
Died4th century
Spouse(s)Valerius

Adelphia (Latin: Adelfia) was a Roman noblewoman, known for being depicted on the Sarcophagus of Adelphia.[1]

She was the wife of a “Count Valerius”, who, according to recent studies, is the friend of St. Augustine cited in the Introduction of the De nuptiis et concupiscentia (“About marriage and lust”)[2]

Adelphia (and her husband) probably lived in the 4th century.

From the decorations on the sarcophagus, we know she was a Christian.

The Sarcophagus

A detail of the inscription

The central medallion probably represents the couple, which is mentioned in the center of the lid by an epigraph:

(H)IC ADELFIA C(LARISSIMA) F(EMINA)
POSITA CONPAR
BALERI COMITIS
Here lies Adelphia, most famous woman, wife of Count Balerius (Valerius).

The rest of the Sarcophagus contains Christian decorations, but no other information regarding the couple.

References

  1. ↑ "Adelfia". Treccani, free Italian enclopedias.
  2. ↑ Mariarita Sgarlata, Et Lux Fuit, the catacombs and the sarcophagus of Adelfia (Italian), pp. 15-32
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