Some categories of epitaphs in Moldova and neighboring countries in the 17th - early 19th centuries

Epitaph is an important source for the study of attitudes towards life and death. In our opinion, the epitaphs from Moldova and neighboring countries of the 17th - early 19th centuries can be classified according to many criteria: 1) literary form; 2) volume of information; 3) epitaphs, which are based on a deep family affection, including those prepared by a person for himself; 4) subject of narration; 5) gender of the deceased; 6) age of the deceased; 7) social status of the deceased, etc. In this article, we present several types of epitaphs, which are characteristic for the Romanian territory, Russia, and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In terms of the expression of grief in the collective mentality, epitaphs are similar regardless of the country. The heartache of parents, spouses, and relatives is expressed in the inscriptions on tombstones through a dialogue with parents, monologue, dialogue with the grave, and appeal to God.