Theta nigrum

The theta nigrum (lit. 'black theta') or theta infelix (lit. 'unlucky theta') is a symbol of death in Greek and Latin epigraphy.[1] Isidore of Seville notes the letter was appended after the name of a deceased soldier and finds of papyri containing military records have confirmed this use.[1] Additionally it can be seen in the Gladiator Mosaic.

Retiarius vs Secutor, the two gladiators lying are dead, as signified by the theta nigrum.

The term theta nigrum was coined by Theodor Mommsen. It consists of a circle with a diagonal line. The theta signified Thanatos, the Greek deity of death.[2]

See also

References
  1. Mednikarova, Iveta (2001). "The Use of Θ in Latin Funerary Inscriptions". Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik. 136: 267–276. JSTOR 20190914.
  2. Robertson, William (1824). A Dictionary of Latin Phrases (in Latin and English). p. 229. OCLC 908034483. Retrieved 13 June 2023 – via Google Books. Nigrum præfigere theta; nam theta, Θ, præfigere, sumitur pro damnare, apud Persium: Et potis es vitio nigrum præfigere theta; (quippe theta, Θ, apud Græcos prima litera est nominis, Θάνατος, mors [...]


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