Grave Relief of Claudius
Artist/Culture
Roman
Artist/Culture
Antioch
Date1st–2nd century CE
Mediumgreen marble
Dimensions34.3 x 36.2 cm (13 1/2 x 14 1/4 in.)
ClassificationsSculpture
Credit LineMuseum excavation funded by the bequests of the Reverend Dr. Austin S. Garver and Sarah C. Garver
Terms
Object number1936.42
DescriptionThe horizontal relief crowned by a pediment with a rosette shows the deceased, a male dressed in a Greek tunic and long cloak. He reclines on a dining couch beside a three-legged table with cakes; he may be holding a cup. The scene belongs to the funeral banquet, a popular type among the Antioch reliefs (Kondoleon, 2000).)Label TextThis grave marker was found in a cemetery in the southeastern part of Antioch. Many Roman funerary images represent the deceased relaxing, sometimes alone and sometimes with family and favorite pets. The relief carved on this gravestone shows the deceased, a male dressed in a Greek tunic and long cloak, reclined on a dining couch beside a three-legged table with cakes; he may be holding a cup. The inscription along the base: “Claudius, free of care, hail and farewell” was meant to be read aloud. Both Antioch tomb reliefs displayed here are of an early Imperial Roman date. The Greek dress and pose indicate that these reliefs were inspired by earlier Greek sculptures and reliefs. ProvenanceAntioch excavation, 1936; from Southeastern Cemetery or Necropolis of Mnemosyne, corridor 6 (sector 24-L).
On View
On view
