Themes - Summary 10

Question 1

Elite grave markers through the centuries

Answer 1

Mycenaean - tholos
Geometric - amphora/krater
Archaic - kouros/kore

Question 2

Early form of flat funerary markers

Answer 2

Stelae from Prinias from the early 7th century. Have incised and painted decoration; are not free standing but rather incorporated into larger square structures that cover the grave.

Question 3

Typical format of a funerary stele

Answer 3

A funerary sphinx at top, followed by area with floral decoration, main figural field, and secondary figural field

Question 4

Exceptions of idealism in funerary reliefs

Answer 4

Most funerary reliefs follow the rule of idealization; some rare exceptions. Example: fragmentary stele of a boxer has broken nose and swollen ear.

Question 5

Archaic funerary reliefs were mainly made for…

Answer 5

Men

Question 6

Funerary monuments in Athens and Attica in the early 5th century

Answer 6

Production of funerary stelae stops abruptly in the early 5th, and starts again around 430/20. Most scholars believe that there was a state law prohibiting excessive luxury in the funerary context. During this time, Athenians started to produce lekythoi, luxury containers for perfumed oil.

Question 7

Lekythoi

Answer 7

Vases containing perfumed oils and used as funerary offerings; Athenians begin producing these in the 5th century when stelae are banned. Covered in white slip, upon which the decoration is painted.

Question 8

Naiskos-type

Answer 8

Funerary monuments of the late 5th and 4th centuries - deceased (alone or accompanied) placed in a frame that is reminiscent of the facade of a small temple. In the course of the 4th century the figures appear almost in the round; flatten again towards the end of the century and particularly in the Hellenistic period.

Question 9

Marble lekythoi

Answer 9

A funerary monument that appears in the 4th century; takes the form of the lekythoi produced in the 5th century, but are of marble. Reliefs on these are rarely of top quality.

Question 10

Funerary monuments of the late 5th and 4th centuries

Answer 10

Naiskos-type temple frame; Plain flat stele with painted decoration; Marble lekithoi

Question 11

Combinations of funerary types

Answer 11

Some monuments combine different types, such as the stele for Paramythion - a funerary stele with decoration in relief depicting a funerary marble hydria/vase

Question 12

Votive reliefs

Answer 12

Appear in the Archaic period; although they occur throughout antiquity, reliefs presenting divinities on their own remain rare. Usually show worshippers alone or in groups with a sacrificial animal, approaching the divinity. Between the human and divine areas there is an altar.

Question 13

Narrative in relief

Answer 13

Archinos relief represents the three stages of Archinos’ healing process - sleeping, cured, and healthy

Question 14

The only relief copied in Roman times

Answer 14

The Great Eleusinian relief

Question 15

Hellenistic votive reliefs

Answer 15

Become thematically repetitive and extremely flat. In some cases the relief is barely more than an incised composition.