Marble funerary stele

sketchfab

BLMJ 01052 \n A stunning artifact from the Hellenistic era, dating back to around 200 BCE in Anatolia, has been unearthed. The ancient Greek inscription boldly proclaims that Ariston, son of Apollas, the younger, is laid to rest. Seated pensively on a chair, he gazes out before him as a woman and child, likely his wife and son, stand by his side. A playful little dog paws at the drapery surrounding his seat, adding a touch of warmth to the scene. In the upper right corner, a tree is beautifully encircled by a snake, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life and death. The tree represents eternal life, while the serpent's ability to shed its skin and rise anew signifies rebirth and immortality. Two triumphant funerary wreaths, signifying victory over mortality and the longing for eternal existence, proudly adorn the scene above.