times the sepulchre was at a distance from the
place of burning, which was then called _ustrina_. The words _bustum_
and _sepulchrum_, therefore, though often loosely used as synonymous,
are not in fact so, the latter being involved in, but by no means
comprehending the former. The pile was ordered to be built of rough
wood, unpolished by the ax. Pitch was added to quicken the flames, and
cypress, the aromatic scent of which was useful to overpower the
stench of the burning body. The funeral piles of great men were of
immense size and splendidly adorned; and all classes appear to have
indulged their vanity in this respect to the utmost of their means, so
that a small and unattended pyre is mentioned as the mark of an
insignificant or friendless person. The body was placed on it in the
litter or bier; the nearest relation present then opened the eyes,
which it had been the duty of the same person to close immediately
after death, and set fire to the wood with averted face, in testimony
that he performed that office not of good will, but of necessity. As
the combustion proceeded, various offerings were cast into the flames.
The manes were believed to love blood; animals, therefore, especially
those which they had loved while alive, were killed and thrown upon
the pile, as horses, dogs and doves, besides the beasts commonly used
in sacrifice, as sheep and oxen. Human beings, especially prisoners of
war, were sometimes put to death, though not in the later times of the
republic. The most costly robes and arms of the deceased, especially
trophies taken in warfare, were also devoted in his honor, and the
blaze was fed by the costly oils and gums of the East. The body being
reduced to ashes, these were then quenched with wine, and collected by
the nearest relation; after which, if the grief were real, they were
again bedewed with tears; if not, wine or unguents answered the
purpose equally well. The whole ceremony is described in a few lines
by Tibullus:

There, while the fire lies smouldering on the ground,
My bones, the all of me, can then be found.
Arrayed in mourning robes, the sorrowing pair
Shall gather all around with pious care;
With ruddy wine the relics sprinkle o'er,
And snowy milk on them collected pour.
Then with fair linen cloths the moisture dry,
Inurned in some cold marble tomb to lie.
With them enclose the spices, sweets and gums,
And all that from the rich Arabia com