ART.GRE.AD2C

Greek Funerary Stele

Greek Funerary Monument

Much like our tombstones today, these funerary steles would have provided a memorial for the deceased. However, in the ancient world, the idea of a cemetery did not exist. These memorials would have been placed along roads entering into the city. This central location made it possible for family members as well as travelers to remember the deceased. It seems as though these visits meant more than an act to preserve memory. Often, these steles would be “anointed with oil, decorated with ribbons and garlands, and given food offerings” (Funerary Sculpture).

In this Roman dominated period, it became popular to depict the individual singularly. Previously, Greek tradition depicted the deceased surrounding by living family members as a way to describe their role in society- much like we write “beloved wife, mother, grandmother” etc. on our tombstones. Along with the Romans came a greater emphasis on realism. No longer idealized, the deceased is not portrayed as a youth, but rather at the age in which he or she died. Their frontal gazes invite viewers into their presence, but at the same time the introspective gaze seems to disregard the outside, living world.

Special Collections’ Roman Funerary Stele reads:

ΙΟΥΛΙΑΝΟΣ / ΕΙΛΑΙΟΥ ΕΤΩΝ / Κ Η

“Julianos, (son) of Eidaios, aged 17”

Traditionally, Julianos is a Latin name and Eidaios is a Greek name. This combined with the early style of himation and hairstyle suggest the young man lived in the 2nd century.

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“Funerary Sculpture in Athens.” Athenian Agora 35. (2013): 9-64. Art Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 9 Nov. 2016.

2nd Century A.D.

Turkey

2nd Century A.D.

Funerary Stele

English Artifact See all items with this value

English History of Writing Collection See all items with this value

Greek

Latin (First name)

Marble

Acquired from Collector Antiques under the curation of Dr. Bron Lipkin in August of 2010

Sepulchral monuments See all items with this value