Gravestone figuring a farewell scene

myminifactory

Aristocratic families of Attica built grand funerary monuments in private burial grounds along roadsides on their estates or near Athens during the sixth century B.C. These elaborate structures featured relief sculptures, statues, and stelai adorned with capitals and finials. Each monument's base bore an inscribed epitaph, often written in verse to honor the deceased. A typical relief depicted a generalized image of the deceased, sometimes accompanied by a servant, possessions, or even a dog, offering glimpses into their life. Early reliefs made it easy to identify the individual being honored; however, as time passed, especially during the fourth century B.C., family members began to be included in scenes, and numerous names were inscribed, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between the deceased and the mourners attending their funeral.