Some of the key features of Roman cinerary urns include:
1. They were typically made of pottery, but could also be made of marble or bronze.
2. They were often decorated with intricate designs, such as relief sculpture, painted scenes, or motifs like flowers, scrolls, and animals.
3. They were frequently inscribed with the name, age, and occupation of the deceased, as well as a brief epitaph or message.
4. They were sometimes shaped like miniature houses, temples, or monuments, and could include multiple compartments for the ashes of multiple family members.
5. They were commonly placed in tombs, sepulchers, or columbaria, often alongside other funerary objects like lamps, coins, and jewelry.
6. They served as both a vessel for the ashes of the deceased and a memorial to their life and legacy, reflecting the Roman emphasis on ancestor worship and family lineage.
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