Наблюдения върху група капаци на саркофази от провинция Долна Мизия (II–III в.)

Observations on a group of sarcophagus lids from the province of Lower Moesia (2nd–3rd c. AD)

Abstract

This paper is dedicated to 14 acroteria parts of 10 sarcophagi found at towns of Vratsa and Pavlikeni, as well as villages of Gigen (ancient Oescus), Chavdartsi and Baikal (all of them within the territory of the Roman province of Lower Moesia). They are all decorated with an image of a small child or a boy (following G. Bammes) lying on one side with crossed legs and head leaning on his arm. In his hand he can hold a wreath or a flaming torch put downwards. This personage has been labeled differently: a personification of death as sweet dream, Eros with torch, genius of death etc.
A fragment of marble acroterion from Oescus, considered as an import, depicts Eros figure with detailed features of his face and haircut. Its shape is close to sculpture in the round. The other acroteria from this group are made of limestone and are fan-shaped. Their images are carved in low relief and have stylized features. Some acroteria are preserved with their gable roof lids covered with tiles. They have the same date, form, style and iconography (pediment decorated with Medusa’s head and acroteria filled with palmette and Eros figure) as some of the sarcophagi from Roman cites of Romula and Aphrodisias.
These observations allow us to assume that in the Roman province of Lower Moesia there were stonemasonry workshops for limestone sarcophagi, dated to the late 2nd – early 3rd c. AD. They were possibly inspired by Asia Minor’s production by copying the form of their lids and their iconography.