the soul of helena

image courtesy of the getty's open content program

Strangely enough, this marble gravestone provided by some fond Roman circa 150-200 AD most likely is not for a dog. According to the information at the Getty (the fortunate owner of this piece), it's probably for a foster daughter or a slave raised in the family: "To Helena, foster daughter, the incomparable and worthy soul."  I think the dog symbolizes not only the loyalty of the departed, but the sheer appealing quality of the carving indicates to me that Helena was very dear to the heart of the mourner.