Images Votive monument with scene of sacrifice dedicated to Jove. Ornavasso-Candoglia marble, I century A.D., from Angera, Varese, Italy Altar dedicated to Jove by an important person. Serizzo, second half of the I century A.D., from Brebbia (CO), Italy Roman funerary stele dedicated to Geminius. Compact limestone, beginning of I century A.D., from Milan, Archi di Porta Nuova Votive base with dedication to Mercury. White marble, first half of II century A.D., from the territory of Milan The interior garden of the Museum, where many epigraphs are exposed

The majority of the epigraphs come from funerary monuments. They can express mourning and feelings of regret of the ones still alive at the death of a dear person. Others, the honorary epigraphs, mention the gifts made or great deeds committed by prominent citizens. A chronological reading of the epigraphs helps in picturing the evolution of the political life of the city, the ways of social promotion or the structure of the political elites. The epigraphs also allow the reconstruction of a biography, of a life as it was lived back in time in Roman Milan.