Columnar Sarcophagi from Aphrodisias: Elite Emulation in the Greek East

Aphrodisias reveals that its columnar sarcophagi were not merely decorative but served as symbols of elite emulation within the Roman Greek East. Unlike those from Rome or Athens, these sarcophagi feature unique architectural elements such as columnar facades and arcaded entablatures, accompanied by human figures in intercolumniations. The study establishes a chronology for these artifacts and identifies their commissioners primarily among Aphrodisias' social elite. By analyzing funerary inscriptions and archaeological context, the research contextualizes the iconography within the broader cultural landscape of Asia Minor, offering insights into the social dynamics and artistic expressions of the time.

Öğüş, E. (2014). Columnar Sarcophagi from Aphrodisias: Elite Emulation in the Greek East. American Journal of Archaeology, 118(1), 113–136. https://doi.org/10.3764/aja.118.1.0113