 |
 |
medieval worlds • no. 16 • 2022
|
 |
Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
A-1011 Wien, Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2
Tel. +43-1-515 81/DW 3420, Fax +43-1-515 81/DW 3400 https://verlag.oeaw.ac.at, e-mail: verlag@oeaw.ac.at |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
DATUM, UNTERSCHRIFT / DATE, SIGNATURE
BANK AUSTRIA CREDITANSTALT, WIEN (IBAN AT04 1100 0006 2280 0100, BIC BKAUATWW), DEUTSCHE BANK MÜNCHEN (IBAN DE16 7007 0024 0238 8270 00, BIC DEUTDEDBMUC)
|
medieval worlds • no. 16 • 2022, pp. 146-162, 2022/06/30
Lycia is characterized by a sepulchral culture, which has found its expression in numerous tomb types that are typical for this region. They were created in Archaic and Classical times, probably as a result of the Persian conquest around 540 BC and the integration of Lycia into the Achaemenid Empire. A ruling elite, the so-called dynasts, was obviously looking for new forms of representation and found them in tombs in which local and foreign elements were combined to create something new and unique. It is noteworthy that these tomb types occur almost exclusively within the Lycian language area and can therefore be understood as an expression of a specific Lycian culture which, not only in this respect, differs from other regions in Asia Minor and beyond. One of these tomb types is the free-standing stone sarcophagus with its characteristic ogival lid, which first occurred in the 5th century BC and was initially based on an imitation of indigenous wooden architecture in stone. However, a combination with Greek elements, also derived from timber construction, followed very quickly. In contrast to the other typical Lycian types of tombs, the sarcophagus survived the Hellenistic era and began a veritable triumphant advance in the Roman imperial period. While individual elements were constantly changing, the shape of the lid remained the same for centuries. In the necropoleis of several Lycian settlements, however, sarcophagi from the Roman imperial period with gabled roof-shaped lids can also be found. This lid shape has been identified as foreign based on an inscription from Patara, whereas the ogival lid shape is said to have been the local one. In principle, this seems to be correct, and the sarcophagus with its ogival lid was undoubtedly of particular importance for the Lycian identity. However, the deceased, who reveal themselves as locals or foreigners in grave inscriptions, nevertheless made use of sarcophagi with both kind of lids.
Keywords: Greek and Roman antiquity, Asia Minor, Lycia, burial culture, sarcophagi, Roman imperial period, harbor settlements