Roman funerary stele depicting a symposium with Greek inscription ‘Cheer up, Kyris’

Description

Funerary stele depicting a symposium, with a woman reclining on a triclinium, dressed in a stola with her hair tied back and inscribed in Greek ‘Cheer up, Kyris’

Roman funerary steles, or tombstones, were monuments erected to commemorate the deceased and were prevalent across the Roman Empire, reflecting Roman attitudes toward death, family, and social status. Typically made of stone, such as limestone or marble, these steles varied in size and shape but often featured a combination of inscriptions, carved reliefs, and symbolic imagery. The inscription, or epitaph, was central to these steles and usually included the name of the deceased, age, and other pertinent details like family relationships or career accomplishments. Often dedicated by surviving family members or close friends, the epitaph also served to honor the memory of the deceased and preserve their social identity within the community, underscoring the Romans’ belief in maintaining personal legacy beyond death.

The relief carvings on Roman funerary steles were often elaborate, depicting scenes that conveyed the life, profession, or virtues of the deceased. For example, soldiers were frequently portrayed in armor with their weapons, while artisans might be depicted with their tools or engaging in their trade. Other common motifs included banquet scenes, depictions of family members, and mythological or protective symbols like eagles or laurel wreaths. These images helped convey the deceased’s values, accomplishments, and social role, creating a visual biography. Symbolic elements such as clasped hands represented familial or marital bonds, and specific deities or allegorical figures were occasionally included to suggest a protective journey to the afterlife or to express philosophical beliefs about death and immortality.