Alcestis on Roman Sarcophagi
Dados Bibliográficos
| ID | 4537594 |
|---|---|
| Autores | Susan Wood (autor correspondente) |
| Ano | 1978 |
| Volume | 82 |
| Fascículo | 4 |
| Páginas | 499-510 |
| Data de publicação | 1978-10-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Sim |
| Open Access | Não |
| Tipo | ARTICLE |
| Periódico | American Journal of Archaeology (JOURNAL) |
| Identificadores do periódico | ISSN: 0002-9114 • E-ISSN: 1939-828X |
| Editora | University of Chicago Press (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.2307/504638 |
| OpenAlex | W2331608060 |
| Idioma | EN |
| Citações recebidas | 8 |
| Referências citadas | 1 |
The sarcophagus of Caius Junius Euhodus and Metilia Acte belongs to a small group of Roman sarcophagi which depict the death of Alcestis. Unlike most other members of the group, however, the Euhodus sarcophagus also portrays Alcestis's return from death in a prominent position on the front of the box. This variation in the use of the mythological theme suggests that while in most cases the story of Alcestis was chosen because of its pathos, the theme of possible triumph over death may also have appealed to some of the clients who commissioned the sarcophagi. The inscription of the Euhodus sarcophagus confirms that the couple for whom it was made subscribed to the cult of the Magna Mater, a cult which evidently did believe in the possibility of life after death. The language of symbolism on this monument, however, seems to be derived not from mystery rites but from familiar scenes of everyday life. The scene in which Alcestis is restored to her husband by Heracles bears a strong resemblance to a conventional wedding scene. Such a visual reference would underscore the theme of reunion implicit in the story of Alcestis and Admetus. Euhodus and Metilia, whose portrait faces appear on the mythological figures, expected to be united in death at least in a physical sense, since their bodies were to be interred in the same sarcophagus. In view of their religious beliefs, they may have hoped for a reunion in a life after death as well
Afterlife · Ancient history · Art · Art history · Cult · Everyday life · Literature · Mythology · Pathos · Portrait · Theme (computing · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Archaeology and Historical Studies · Classical Antiquity Studies · History · Philosophy
| Obras citantes distintas | 8 |
|---|---|
| Citações por ano | 0,2 |
| Intervalo de citações | 1985 - 2022 (38) |
| Velocidade de citação | historical |
| Altamente citado | Não |
| Tipos de citação | Neutras: 8 |