Representations of Priests in Palmyra: Methodological Considerations on the Meaning of the Representation of Priesthood in the Funerary Sculpture from Roman Period Palmyra

Palmyra's funerary sculptures, unique in their portrayal of individuals outside Rome, reveal that depictions of priests—comprising 18% of male representations—primarily signify status rather than profession. Analyzing 289 priestly figures across various forms (loculus reliefs, sarcophagi lids/boxes), this study argues that priesthood in Palmyrene art reflects social standing within family constellations, offering a novel methodological framework for interpreting funerary representations. The research leverages the Palmyra Portrait Project's corpus to challenge conventional views on priestly imagery, providing insights into Roman-period Palmyra's religious and social structures.

Raja, R. (2016). Representations of Priests in Palmyra: Methodological Considerations on the Meaning of the Representation of Priesthood in the Funerary Sculpture from Roman Period Palmyra. Religion in the Roman Empire, 2(1), 125–146. https://doi.org/10.1628/219944616x14537295637952