Shakespeare's funerary monument Socrates in genius, a Maro in art," comparing Shakespeare to Nestor the wise King of Pylus, to the Greek philosopher Socrates, and to the Roman poet Virgil (whose last name, or "cognomen" was Maro). The second reads "The earth buries him, the people mourn him, Olympus possesses him," referring to Mount Olympus, the home of the Greek gods. The English poem reads: As modernized by Katherine Duncan-Jones: Stanley Wells is one of the few biographers to comment on the poem, saying that it "somewhat cryptically calls on the passer-by to pay tribute to his greatness as a writer", and admitting
Isonokami no Maro an auspicious melon, and officials both civil and military reported to the Emperor their congratulations. In 715, Prince Hozumi died, leaving Maro as the highest-ranking retainer. On March 3, 717, Maro died at the age of 78. Empress Genshō lamented his loss deeply, sending Prince Nagaya and on a condolence call to his home and granting him the posthumous rank of . Condolences were presented by representatives of the "daijō-kan", nobles above the fifth rank, and nobles below the sixth rank. The Shoku Nihongi records that . Eight months later additional presents were made to him, of rough silk, thread,