La dolce memoria: le api nella poesia funeraria (CLE 454; 468; 1262; 1552 A e B, Pontano, De tumulis 2, 32)

The symbolic virtues of bees and honey are examined as a constant topic in the funerary poetry. In two African epigraphes, the bees flying over the sepulchre pour honey on it, whilst in CLE 454, which is an epigraph coming from the province of Gallia Narbonese, the presence of insects in a sarcophagus is quite controversial. Many theories are proposed about this subject; furthermore, the persistency of this topic in Pontano’s humanistic poetry is also analysed as Pontano’s style was influenced by the ancient epigraphes.