“As long as you live, shine, let nothing grieve you beyond measure.” These poetic words are part of an inscription on a marble monument that dates back approximately 2,000 years. The artifact is known as the “Seikilos epitaph,” and scholars attribute it to the first or second century.
An Age-Defying Journey
The words and musical notation on the “stele,” or monument, are of an ancient Greek dialect. Though a few interpretations of the short poem on the stele have been made by various scholars, the theme remains the same for each: Find joy in life and celebrate it.
Like the message behind the song inscribed on its marble, the story of the Seikilos epitaph is one of age-defying fortitude and timeless lessons.
In the 1960s, the artifact was transported to its permanent home in the National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen. But its long journey up to that point was full of twists and turns. Luckily, historians were able to piece together a few key events that led to its arrival to the Danish city.
The stone pillar’s modern story began near the port city of Smyrna, Turkey, when it was first discovered in 1883. According to some historical accounts, general manager and chief engineer Edward Purser of the Ottoman Railway Company accidently found the artifact while overseeing construction for the Smyrna-Aidin railway.
Not realizing its significance, he took the structure home to his wife for use in her garden. She decided to use it as a stand for her flowerpots, but the bottom of the pillar was uneven. Edward smoothed down the bottom surface so it would be balanced, resulting in the removal of the last line of its inscription.
While visiting Turkey, Scottish archeologist Sir W.M. Ramsay heard about the unique addition to the Pursers’s garden, so he decided to go see it for himself. Though he couldn’t translate the inscription, he knew the couple had a special relic on their hands. He spent time studying what would ultimately be called “the song of Seikilos,” and other experts became involved with uncovering its mystery as well.
Deathless Remembrance
By the early 1900s, thanks to Ramsay’s work and the work of other scholars, clues about the mysterious archaeological find were coming together. This was no ordinary garden decoration. And despite the Pursers’s slight alteration, the majority of the inscription was in good enough condition for interpretation.
The ancient Greek words were translated to English, revealing poetic verses that begin with, “As long as you live, shine.” The translation also revealed a dedication, from “Seikilos,” the epitaph’s author, to “Euterpe,” who scholars believe was Seikilos’s wife. However, others point out the ancient Greek muse of music was also named Euterpe.
A piece of the puzzle giving weight to those who believe the Seikilos epitaph was indeed a tribute to his late wife is found in the mystifying line that is part of the dedication: “Seikilos placed me here as a long-lasting sign of deathless remembrance.”
The musical notes were translated into a melody as well. Various interpretations can now be found of the original song etched into the stone monument. Seikilos’s version is about 30 seconds long, and was most likely written for the lyre or flute, two of ancient Greece’s most popular instruments.
The notated music reveals rising phrases with each new note played, resulting in a heartwarming, passionate tribute to Euterpe and the everlasting love Seikilos had for her.
In 1966, long after the war’s end, curators acquired the piece from government officials and placed the ancient tribute in the care of Copenhagen’s National Museum.
As long as you live, shine, Let nothing grieve you beyond measure. For your life is short, and time will claim its toll.
