A message from beyond the grave: Hercules rescuing Hesione on a Stojnik funerary monument
The research of this study is dedicated to a unique iconographical scene in the territory of the Central Balkan Roman provinces, of Hercules rescuing Hesione from a sea-monster (ketos), depicted on a funerary monument found in 1931 at the site of Stojnik, in the vicinity of Belgrade, antiqu...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | deu |
| Published: |
Institute of Archaeology, Belgrade, Serbia
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Starinar |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0350-0241/2020/0350-02412070111G.pdf |
| Summary: | The research of this study is dedicated to a unique iconographical scene in
the territory of the Central Balkan Roman provinces, of Hercules rescuing
Hesione from a sea-monster (ketos), depicted on a funerary monument found in
1931 at the site of Stojnik, in the vicinity of Belgrade, antique
Singidunum, and now displayed in the lapidarium of the National Museum in
Belgrade. The funerary monument was erected for the deceased, a veteran of
cohors II Aurelia nova, Publius Aelius Victorinus, by his wife Aurelia
Rufina and their son Publius Aelius Acutianus. The rich iconography of the
monument makes it a very important example of funerary art in the period
from the end of the 2nd and the beginning of the 3rd century - the
eschatological symbolism of the presented scenes and motifs is more than
clear and underlines not only the hope of the deceased’s family for his
eternal and blessed life after death, but also the deceased’s victory over
death and presents him as a symbol of courage and virtue. The architectural
scheme of the monument, along with its iconography, suggests strong artistic
influences from Noricum and both the Pannonian provinces, while the the
mythical tale of Hercules and Hesione was chosen, it is argued, not only
because Hercules was one of the most favoured gods in the Roman army, but
also because he was a protector of miners and mines. |
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| ISSN: | 0350-0241 2406-0739 |