Graves and Tombs Flashcards
naiskos
small-temple-like stela
cenotaph
funerary monument, not marking a grave
What styles characterise the ‘eastern dynasts’ tombs’?
mainland greek/Athenian monumental aesthetics alongside features of local significance
What is the wider political context for the interest of Ionian Greek dynasts in mainland G/Athenian styles?
in fall out from Pelo war, Athenian control over the west coast of A Minor had waned and so Persia took back the land
Ionian greeks lost sense of connection to mainland so expressed identity through aesthetics
What was the political purpose of the monumental tombs?
local dynasts had considerable power under Persian oversight which meant greater pressure to maintain this - especially as not elected
Building such monuments then was an expression of importance, wealth, and power, vital in maintaining support/subordinating peers
When and Where was the Nereid Monument built? Who was the entombed dynast?
early 4th cent BCE, Xanthos (lycia)
(likely) Erbinna, dynast in Xanthos in 4th cent, attested in epigraphic evidence from Letöon and statue base w both greek and Lycian poetry inscribed on it
What are the two main parts of the Nereid Monument? Derivations?
large podium base - like pillar tombs of 5th cent Xanthos aristocrats
temple like structure on top - ionic tetrastyle, v similar to T of Athena Nike
Where in Xanthos was N Mon lcoated? Significance?
atop hill
Seen easily and thus supporting idea of it as a political message
What sculptural decoration does the N Mon have?
Architrave frieze - decorated on east façade (entrance façade) w combat, boar hunt, figures bearing offerings, and preparations for a banquet. In style of continuous ionic frieze but lying directly on top of columns.
Pediment relief:
E - Erbinna and wife in centre and smaller
figures around (poss children)
W - (m fragmentary) solders in combat
Podium friezes:
Greater - heroic battle scenes, with no
apparent overall narrative (poss one of
local signif). Largely G figures, as indic by
clothing.
Lesser (higher one) - m contemporary set
combat w ordered phalanx of hoplites and
siege of city w walls and gate. Features a
portrait of the dynast in elaborate scene of
local power.
Cella frieze - inside peristyle ABOVE cella not in; public banquet w reclining men incl one, poss dynast, who looks out to the viewer (unusual in G art)
Intercolumn sculpture - free standing female sculptures w wet look clothing appearing to assoc them w sea (creatures at feet); likely local water nymphs ‘Eliyãna’
How do the podium friezes relate to Erbinna?
-mythical combat: asserts importance of locality and its mythology, and thus by assoc, Erbinna
-Greek soldiers: most basically, a desire to associate w Greeks and Greekness BUT could suggest Erbinna hired a G hoplite trainer or had G mercenaries.
-siege warfare: poetry on portrait statue suggests Urbinna acquired power by coup and thus this could be a depiction of his rise to powerful position.
-dynast under parasol: the portrait of the dynast reclining w a parasol being held over him is highly localised in subject
Why is the use of Eliyãna significant on the N Mon? Evidence?
these water nymphs were associated w local cult of Leto which Erbinna had contributed monuments and finances for
‘Letoon/Xanthos trilingual’ - inscribed stele of Lycian A, Greek, and Aramaic attesting to the establishment of the cult in 4th cent BCE references these nymphs. Other inscrips from this sanct then attest to Erbinna’s contributions.
When and where was Mausoleum (for Mausolus) built?
c353 BCE (M’s death)
overlooked harbour at Halikarnassos (Caria)
What was historical context as to Mausoleum?
392- Persians created a new satrap in Cariathe first of which was Hekatomnus took the role
377 - he dies and his son appointed with his sister-wife Artemisia.
During his reign capital was moved from Mylasa to Halikarnassos.
What are the certain features of Mausoleum? Why are these so few?
massive podium, possibly stepped to accommodate sculpture
huge ionic colonnade surrounding a cella w tomb inside
pyramidal roof crowned with a four horse chariot statue group
The tomb is in very fragmentary state
What are the 3 different reconstructions of the Mausoleum?
Waywell - three registers on base w life size, heroic, and colossal size statues displayed there; intercolumn colossal statues; lion statues atop architrave.
Jeppesen - two registers on base w life size and colossal size statues there; intercolumn colossal statues; lion statues variously up stepped pyramid roof.
Hoepfner - only frieze displayed at top of base; intercolumn figures; lions and acroteria atop architrave.
What could be reinterp of Amazonomachy for eastern context on Mausoleum?
merely a desire to mirror Athenian styles and themes
could show relevance to Persian part of significance
(in comp to GvP symbolism it often has in Greece)
Significance of ‘Mausolus and Artemisia’ sculptures?
localised styling: long hair, thick beard w prominent moustache, chiton beneath himation, and snail curl hair of woman.
demonstrates advanced g sculpture technique at this point
likely NOT the couple, would be unlikely considering the amount that has actually been preserved
alt interp = Hekatomnid ancestors of Maus
When and where was Hekatomneion built? Who are options for the entombed dynast?
c377 / c344
Mylasa (Caria)
Hekatomnus, Maus’ father who had ruled when Mylasa was capital of Hekatomnid kingdom.