Defacing the Gods at Aphrodisias

A detailed analysis of the defacement of marble reliefs depicting Olympian gods at Aphrodisias' Julio-Claudian Sebasteion reveals a nuanced negotiation process between Christian and pagan elements during late antiquity. While 12 reliefs were systematically and violently defaced, 70 others remained untouched or carefully maintained, suggesting a complex interplay of attitudes rather than outright rejection. The study highlights the meticulous documentation of defacement techniques, providing rare insight into the 'hard' response to religious imagery in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Smith, R. R. R. (2012). Defacing the Gods at Aphrodisias. Historical and Religious Memory in the Ancient World, 283–326. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199572069.003.0013