The material aspects of christian funerary inscriptions in the conventus Cordubensis

Abstract

This article examines a number of material aspects of early Christian epigraphy in the former Conventus Cordubensis. It begins by analyzing the development of the epigraphy of this te-rritory during the Roman period, addressing the historical and social factors that account for the decline in epigraphic production between the fourth and sixth centuries, as well as the slight resur-gence attested in the seventh century. It then focuses on stone supports, considering both their lithological characteristics and their morphological typology. Finally, the study addresses decorative elements, distinguishing between purely ornamental motifs and those directly associated with early Christian symbolism.