Epitaph

An epitaph (literally: "on the grave" in ancient Greek) is text honoring the dead, most commonly inscribed on a tombstone or plaque. Traditionally an epitaph is in verse, but there are exceptions.

Famous Epitaphs

O xein', angellein Lakedaimoniois hoti täde/

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keimetha tois keinon rhämasi peithomenoi!

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Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by

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that here, obedient to their laws we lie --Simonides's epigram at Thermopylae

Related Topics:
Simonides - Epigram - Thermopylae

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When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,

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For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today

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The Kohima Epitaph which is on the World War II War Memorial for the Allied fallen at the battle of Kohima. Attributed to John Maxwell Edmonds (1875 -1958), an English classicist, suggested for the memorial by Major John Etty-Leal, the GSO II of the 2nd Division, another classical scholar.

Related Topics:
Kohima - World War II - Battle of Kohima

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Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbear,

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To dig the dust enclosed here.

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Blest be the man that spares these stones,

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But cursed be he that moves my bones. -- (From the grave of William Shakespeare).

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Nature, and nature's laws,

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Lay hid in night,

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God said, let Newton be!

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And all was light. -- from the grave of Newton, a poem from Alexander Pope

Related Topics:
Newton - Alexander Pope

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Stranger by the roadside, do not smile

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When you see this grave, though it is only a dog's,

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My master wept when I died, and his own hand

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Laid me in earth and wrote these lines on my tomb. -- (unknown origin)

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Here lies one of the most intelligent animals who ever appeared on the face of the earth. -- (Benito Mussolini)

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Never Born, Never Died--Only visited this planet Earth between December 11, 1931 and January 19,1990. -- (Rajneesh)

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That's all folks! -- (Mel Blanc)

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Love Will Tear Us Apart -- (Ian Curtis)

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Dúirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite -- (Spike Milligan, translation: "I told you I was ill")

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J. R. R. Tolkien is buried next to his wife, and on their tombstone the names "Beren" and "Lúthien" are engraved, a fact that sheds light on the love story of Beren and Lúthien which is recorded in several versions in his works.

Related Topics:
J. R. R. Tolkien - Wife - Beren - Lúthien

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