A dog’s tomb: her name was Helena
Every so often a discovery is made that brings the past to life. Its people speak to us; and we understand. We feel what they felt.
The inscription on Helena’s tomb reads, “To Helena, foster child, soul without comparison and deserving of praise.”
And an unknown Roman, some two thousand years ago, wrote this:
“My eyes were wet with tears, our little dog, when I bore you [to the grave]. So, Patricus, never again shall you give me a thousand kisses. Never can you be contentedly in my lap. In sadness, I buried you, as you deserve. In a resting place of marble, I have put you for all time by the side of my shade. In your qualities, you were sagacious, like a human being. Ah, what a loved companion we have lost!”
We know, whoever you were–we know.
I cannot read this post aloud.
[Source: Biblical Archaeological Review, May/June 2019, “Dogs in the Biblical World,” pg. 48]