Punishment after death

Mutilation of images and corpse abuse in ancient Rome

Bibliographic Data

ID15082023
AuthorsEric R Varner (a Emory University , United States, corresponding author)
Year2001
Volume6
Issue1
Pages45-64
Publication date2001-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMortality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1357-6275 • E-ISSN: 1469-9885
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13576270020028638
OpenAlexW1983370041
LanguageEN
Citations received19

Representations of the emperors were ubiquitous elements in the lives of Romans at every level of society. As both artistic and literal embodiments of the imperial presence, these images functioned as effigies. When a 'bad' emperor was overthrown or assassinated, his images were often mutilated or destroyed. The disfigurement of imperial portraits is closely linked to the abuse of corpses of condemned criminals and arena victims. This article explores the relationship between mutilated images and corpses in ancient Rome and elucidates the communicative aspects of intentional disfigurement

Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Criminology · Disfigurement · Emperor · Literature · Political science · Portrait · Punishment (psychology · Sociology · Crime, Deviance, and Social Control · Historical and Religious Studies of Rome · History · Law · Law in Society and Culture · Psychology · Social Psychology

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