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I can't pass up a stroll through a cemetery. Even if the cemetery is about 32 centuries old.

A recent trip to Athens, Greece, allowed me to visit the Kerameikos Cemetery. It was the area of the ancient city that was home to the pottery-makers, and its name was the source for the English word 'ceramic'. Much of what was once there is long gone; however, several wonderful funerary sculptures have survived.

Below is the grave monument of Dionysios, son of Alphinos. Dionysos died around 345 to 340 B.C. (or BCE, which means "before the common era") and was unmarried. That point in history is way, way beyond the genealogical timeframe. But I still find it interesting, especially since the deceased's parent is named. That's more genealogical information than most modern-day grave markers include.

I also wonder if a monumental bull-topped grave enclosure might be an option for my final resting place.

Other interesting markers in the cemetery