Funerary podia of Hippos of the Decapolis and the phenomenon in the Roman world

Bibliographic Data

ID12373509
AuthorsMichael Eisenberg (0000-0002-8702-0842, University of Haifa, corresponding author), Arleta Kowalewska (0000-0002-0891-3803, University of Haifa)
Year2021
Volume35
Issue1
Pages107-138
Publication date2021-10-05
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Roman Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-7594 • E-ISSN: 2331-5709
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1047759421000465
OpenAlexW3204851538
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited14

In the Roman world a wide variety of funerary architecture was erected along the access roads of cities to catch the eye of passersby. In Hippos (Sussita in Aramaic) of the Decapolis, the most notable funerary structures stood along the city's main approach within the Saddle Necropolis. The most distinctive elements of the necropolis's architectural remains were a series of 13 large funerary podia – the focus of the 2020 excavations. The Hippos podia are unique in the Roman world, in their dating, their architecture, and their multiplicity. The architectural design of this series of structures may be the first evidence of necropolis planning and erection of funerary monuments by the polis itself within the Roman world. The article describes the freshly exposed Hippos podia, proposes reasoning for the choice of this particular type of construction, and analyzes similar funerary structures throughout the Roman world, with emphasis on the Roman East, where sarcophagi were widespread

Archaeology · Art · Geography · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Maritime and Coastal Archaeology · Architecture

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