Hoplite funerary stele
Γ400
Stone (Limestone)
Almost intact
Max. Height: 105 cm. Max. Length: 47.7 cm. Max. Width: 11.5 cm.
Prinias
Early Archaic period:
620-600 BC:
Gallery:
XVIIIExhibition thematic unit:
Geometric - Archaic period (10th-6th c. BC). The cemetery of the city of PriniasDescription
This funerary stele from Prinias, one of the latest in date known, depicts a hoplite. Although a fairly imposing presence, he is quite crudely designed. There is no sense of movement, as there is in figures on other similar stelae, and his limbs appear to be formed of flat, squared-off volumes, with elements of linearity. His musculature seems stylised. His arms and armour, on the contrary, are quite realistically rendered: for example, the rectangular notches in the shield are the points of attachment of the handle. Interestingly, this corresponds to the new military equipment of the rising hoplite social class which began to emerge in Greek cities at the beginning of the Archaic period. However, many elements of the armour and weapons of the preceding Geometric period predominate (the conical helmet, the spearhead, the geometric motifs and bosses on the surface of the shield). One explanation for this contradiction is that the sculptor, in a spirit of conservatism, was attempting to imitate older models.Bibliography:
Platon N., “Ανασκαφαί της Ελληνικής Αρχαιολογικής Υπηρεσίας”, Κρητικά Χρονικά, vol. 13, 1959, 367-378. Daux G., “ Chronique des fouilles et découvertes archéologiques en Gréce en 1959.”, Bulletin de correspondance hellénique 84, 1960, 617-868. Lebessi Α., Οι στήλες του Πρινιά, Athens, 1976, 30-31, 48-53, 75-83, pls 26-27.Author:
S. P.Photographs' metadata