Studies in 3rd Century Roman Sarcophagi: Identity, Commemoration and Chronology
This study, in the form of a PhD dissertation, is concerned with marble sarcophagi produced in Rome in the third and early fourth century AD. Sarcophagi adorned with relief became increasingly popular in the city of Rome already in the second century as part of the period’s Greek ‘revival’. The production continued into the fourth century but the majority of the material belongs to the third century. The third century production was characterized by large and well-executed sarcophagi and a great number of them had a portrait of the deceased applied to a figure on the frontal relief or the lid.
Owing to the lavish figural decoration and the portraits and because they are private monuments, sarcophagi constitute an important source for the study of identity and mentality in Roman society. Issues such as individuality, identities, gender, beliefs, social class or rank and the importance put on commemoration will be some of the main issues approached in this study.
The second part of the dissertation will reconsider the chronology of third century sarcophagi. The portraits will be the main focus as they constitute the best evidence we have for dating sarcophagi. The aim is to get closer to a method based on stylistic criteria by which also sarcophagi without portraits can be dated. Furthermore, certain aspects of a technical nature, such as the organization of workshops and working processes, will also be part of the project. The social and economic conditions that triggered the growth of the sarcophagus production in the early third century will also be explored.
In its final version, the dissertation will be translated into articles and some of the planned titles are:
Are Portraits a Valuable Dating Criterion? Problems of the Third Century Sarcophagi Produced in Rome – Chronology Revisited.
Man or Woman? Regendering and Individuality in Third Century Rome.
The Christian Muse and the Pagan Christophoros: The Ambiguity of Late Antique Sarcophagi.
Adaptable Craftsmen: The Production of Sculpture and Sarcophagi in the Later Roman Empire.