Constructing Roman identity: Funerary monuments and social structure in the Roman world

Mortality ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie M. Hope
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Funerary Monuments ◽  
Roman World

Vicarius and Vicarianus in the Familia Caesaris

1964 ◽  
Vol 54 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 117-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. C. Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Occupational Status ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Social Differentiation ◽  
Reasonable Expectation ◽  
Roman World ◽  
Imperial Period

In the study of social structure in the Roman world of the first and second centuries A.D. nothing is more important or more complex than the slave and freed-slave classes. Their numbers are indeterminately large and predominant in many urban and some rural areas. Most have a reasonable expectation of early manumission and enjoy a high rate of social advancement. But it is important to distinguish between the different social levels of the slave classes in general in order to isolate, if possible, those elements of exceptionally high mobility which are an example and incentive to the rest. Among the most important of these in the early Imperial period are the slaves and freedmen of the Emperor, the Familia Caesaris, itself comprising groups of differing legal and occupational status. By comparing different groups of Imperial slaves both with each other and with those of equivalent legal status outside the Familia Caesaris it is possible to illustrate the extent of social differentiation within the slave classes.

MORE THAN MISTRESSES, LESS THAN WIVES: THE ROLE OF ROMAN CONCUBINAE IN LIGHT OF THEIR FUNERARY MONUMENTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 ◽  
pp. 151-184
Author(s):  
Tatjana Sandon ◽  
Luca Scalco
Keyword(s):  
Point Of View ◽  
First Century ◽  
Third Century ◽  
Funerary Monuments ◽  
Roman World ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Roman Italy ◽  
Marital Union ◽  
Legal Marriage

This article focuses on the role of concubinae in the Roman world, through analysis of inscriptions and reliefs on funerary monuments involving these women and their relatives. It investigates why concubinatus was chosen in preference to legal marriage, and how the concubina was perceived as a member of her partner's family. The results bring to light how this type of quasi-marital union was an appealing option for men of social standing, and that the role of concubinae accepted by their partners was not so dissimilar to that of legal wives. The article considers funerary monuments from Roman Italy, dating from the first century BC to the early third century AD. It deals with the role of Roman concubinae by analysing tombstones from both an archaeological and historical point of view; the aim of this analysis is to reconstruct a social pattern of concubinatus and of the individuals involved in this type of quasi-marital relationship, with the aid of two different types of ancient sources.

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

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-32
Author(s):  
Michael Eisenberg ◽  
Arleta Kowalewska
Keyword(s):  
Architectural Design ◽  
Main Approach ◽  
Funerary Monuments ◽  
Roman World ◽  
Funerary Architecture ◽  
Roman East

Abstract 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.

scholarly journals Eros Figures in the Iconography of Death

Eikon / Imago ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 25-42
Author(s):  
Georgia Aristodemou
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Roman Period ◽  
The Other ◽  
Parental Grief ◽  
Funerary Monuments ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Familial Bonds

This paper discusses the intense presence of Eros figures in funerary monuments from the region of Macedonia during the roman period, evolving around the perception of death, the familial bonds and social structure that these monuments reveal. Eros, depicted either leaning on or holding an inverted torch, or sleeping on a rock, when placed upon graves is perceived as Eros funéraire. The funerary connotations of Eros figures often assimilate them with Sleep, Death, and the eternal sadness of Death. Especially when used in the funerary monuments of children, these figures accentuate the parental grief for the loss of their children. On the other hand, the childlike representation of Eros symbolizes the eternal beauty of youth and the parental hope that their deceased children will continue enjoying a happy afterlife.

A Social Anthropologist Considers Social Structure

1957 ◽  
Vol 2 (11) ◽  
pp. 297-298
Author(s):  
HOWARD BAUMGARTEL
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Social Anthropologist
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