Yeah the title threw me off, I couldn't find it then I looked and you mentioned the tombstones so I knew what to look for lol.
These things are challenging to behold. I think the situation was more potent for you and Pura because it was totally unexpected. Had you looked it up and knew what it was, I think the impression was different. I didn't even know this was there but seeing the images and the memorial is powerful through the pictures as well. Of the many places we saw in Rome I think one of the most powerful for me in this regard was the Catacombs. That was quite the place, going underground and seeing all of those graves!
We didn't know it was there, either. You're right, that's why it was so special.