EPITAPH

(Gr. tnt, and raipoc, a tomb.) Literally an inscription on a tomb. As has been well observed, in scrip. ■ions in honour of the dead are perhaps as old as tomb3.hern selves; though they were by no means bestowed in luch profusion In ancient as in modern time3. Among the Breeks, for instance, this honour was paid only to the »mbs of heroes, as in the case of Leonidas and his gallant jomrades. (.Her. vii. 223.) The Roman3 were the first to 411 [s. 425]