The tomb of a notable military officer from the era of Emperor Augustus has been discovered in Pompeii. This find occurred during the construction of an air chamber intended to remove moisture from the underground areas of the San Paolino building, which now serves as the new library of the Pompeii Archaeological Park. The announcement of this discovery was made in the E-Journal of Pompeii Excavations. Distinguished scholars, such as Maria Chiara Scappaticcio, a Full Professor of Latin Language and Literature at the University of Naples Federico II, and Alberto Dalla Rosa, a Full Professor of Roman History at Université Bordeaux Montaigne, played a key role in interpreting the inscription found on the tomb.

The tomb belonged to Numerius Agrestinus, a highly esteemed figure in ancient Pompeii. The inscription provides crucial details about his life and career, indicating he held several prestigious titles. It reads:

“N(umerius) AGRESTINUS N(umerius) F(ilius) EQUITUS PULCHER TRIB(unus) MIL(itum) PRAEF(ectus) AUTRYGON(um) PRAEF(ectus) FABR(um) II D(uum)V(irus) I(ure) D(icundo) ITER(um) LOCUS SEPULTURAE DATUS D(ecreto) D(ecurionum)”

Translated, it honors Numerius Agrestinus, son of Numerius, recognized as a Just Knight, military tribune, prefect of the Autrygoni, prefect of engineers, and twice serving as Duumvir by jurisdiction. His burial site was granted by decree of the city council. The inscription, finely carved in regular letters, even retains traces of the original red paint. Notably, Numerius Agrestinus is also mentioned in another funerary inscription at the Porta Nocera necropolis, where his wife, Veia Barchilla, erected a cylindrical monument for them both. This indicates that the council of decurions later decided to honor him with a monument on public land.