Bronze Rattles and Clay Shields for the Boeotian Child of the Elite: New Finds in Context
The paper studies metal rattles and miniature clay shields, both of which occur rarely in Boeotian infant and child tombs of the late 6th – first half of the 5th century BC as part of rich assemblages comprised of pottery and figurines. The rattle (platagê) was a sound-making...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | fra |
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Presses universitaires du Midi
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Pallas |
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| Online Access: | http://journals.openedition.org/pallas/24523 |
| Summary: | The paper studies metal rattles and miniature clay shields, both of which occur rarely in Boeotian infant and child tombs of the late 6th – first half of the 5th century BC as part of rich assemblages comprised of pottery and figurines. The rattle (platagê) was a sound-making device that could be used as plaything with a soothing and educative function. It characterizes an age class, infanthood, its metal version further pointing to elevated status. The miniature terracotta shield is associated with the gender ideal of the citizen soldier and its possible interpretation as plaything should be examined in association with the wider issue of miniaturization, a phenomenon which may have comprised also ludic aspects. Bronze rattles and mini clay shields are here discussed in the context of their grave group as well as in relation to the body of the dead. The iconography of vases and figurines that were assorted with rattles and small shields (ephebes, soldiers, athletes, symposiasts, horses and mating animals among others) sheds light on issues regarding childhood in Boeotia. |
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| ISSN: | 0031-0387 2272-7639 |