Elogium

Elogium is a term used in classical and modern scholarship to refer to a short act of praise that is commemorative in nature. In Latin and Greek sources, elogium can denote either a succinct memorial inscription on a monument or tomb, or a concise spoken or written tribute dedicated to a deceased person. In English, the word is uncommon today and is mainly encountered in philological, epigraphic, or textual studies.

Origin and meanings are tied to ancient languages. The term elogium derives from Latin elogium, itself linked to Greek roots associated with praise. In medieval and early modern usage, elogium often pointed to a brief inscription or epitaph, while in other contexts it could signify a short eulogistic discourse. Because of its specialized provenance, the sense of elogium can be broader or more technical than contemporary uses of eulogy or epitaph.

Related terms and distinctions are helpful for understanding usage. Eulogy typically refers to a speech or writing praising someone, especially at a funeral, and is more common in modern English. An epitaph is the inscription on a tombstone, often containing a short commemorative text. Elegy is a poem or song lamenting the dead or contemplating mortality. Elogium sits between these notions as a compact, laudatory text or inscription, with emphasis on commemorative purpose rather than extended lament or praise.

In modern scholarship, elogium is chiefly of interest in the study of inscriptions, necrology, and historical rhetoric. It is rarely used in everyday language but appears in discussions of classical literature, epigraphy, and manuscript annotation.