How a tombstone's text was written...

Start 
D M = Dis Manibus = to the spirit of

Who 
F = Filius son of or Filia = Daughter of
PATER = father (of) (Mater = mother of)
PATRONUS = patron
DOMINUS master (or Domma for women)
LIBERTUSII = freedman/men (LIBERTA = Freedwoman)
CONIUX PIENTISSIMA = and very loyal wife CONIUNX = wife

Age 
VIX AN XIV = vixit annos XIV = he/she lived for 14 years. Numbers: I=1 IX=9 II=2 X=10 III=3 XIV=14 IV=4 L=50 V=5 XL=40 VI=6 C=100

Occupation
CENTURIO = centurion
MIL = MILES = soldier
OPT = OPTIO = lieutenant
SIGNIFER = standard-bearer
TRIB = Tribunus = tribune
VET = Veteranus veteran, retired soldier
P PILUS = Primus Pilus = First Spear — the head centurion in a legion
SACERDOS DEAE SULIS = priest of the goddess Sulis V C = Vir Clarissimus = Senator ORNATRIX = Hairdresser
VESTALI = Vestal (a type of priestess)
LEG (Legio) = Legion — usually followed by the number and sometimes a legions name e.g. Legio Vl AGRICOLA = Farmer
MEDICUS / MEDICA = Doctor or Physician
TEXTRIX = Weaver
ALUMNO = Student

Who had the stone made? 
H F C = heres faciendum curavit = The heir had [the tombstone] made.
F C = .... Faciendum curavit = [name] had this made.
F MON = .... Fecit Monumentum = [Name] erected/made this monument You could add EXS TEST = ex testamento = in accordance with his Will.

Extra Endings (optional)
 H S E = hic situs est = Here he lies.
T TIB TERRA LEVIS = Sit Tibi Terra Levis may the earth lie lightly upon you
HOC M VETO VENIRI VETO DONARI Hoc Monumentum Veto venire veto donari = I forbid that this monument be sold; I forbid it be given away.

Here’s an example:

DMGIUS JULIUS F MARCUS VIX AN XXIV EQUES LEG V GERMANIA MARCUS ANTONIUS F C

This means: “To the spirit of Gius Julius son of Marcus. He lived for 24 years, cavalryman in the 5th Legion ‘Germania.’ Marcus Antonius had this made.”

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