Ερμηνευτικές προσεγγίσεις
Part of : Μουσείο Μπενάκη ; Vol.10, 2010, pages 9-18
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9-18
Parallel Title:
Some Interpretations
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Articles
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Abstract:
This article was inspired by the discussion, with its various arguments and counter-arguments, which has arisen in recent years about the doubted significance of the marble vessel, traditionally called a loutrophoros, on the tomb of an unmarried person. This article re-examines the intact grave stele in the National Archaeological Museum, inv. no. 3691 (figs 1-3, drawing 1), and the fragmentary funerary stele in the Piraeus Archaeological Museum, inv. no. 58/63 (fig. 5), which have been the subject of scholarly interest, as each has a loutrophoros-amphora depicted on its ground (painted on the former and in relief on the latter). The new interpretation proposed for both funerary steles is that: a) they have not been reused and the loutrophoroi-amphorae have not been added subsequently, but are in both cases contemporary with the carved imagery; b) the loutrophoros-amphora depicted on the side with the imagery has a specifically funerary commemorative purpose and relates to some other member of the family, probably an unmarried son, who had predeceased the figures depicted there. As regards the image on the Benaki Museum loutrophoros-amphora sculpted in the round, inv. no. 32939 (figs 6-7), it is proposed that the monument was set up for this man, who has a beard but shows no particular signs of advancing age, and who died unwed. The elderly, seated woman is interpreted as the man’s mother and the child behind her chair as her grandchild by another of her children, whether a son or daughter.
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