Title: Equestrian Statues in Antiquity: City, People, Monuments
Jazdecké sochy v antike: mesto, ľudia, pomníky
Authors: Nováková Lucia – Hrnčiarik Erik – Daňová Miroslava
DOI: 10.17846/SHN.2018.22.2.434-455
Source: Studia Historica Nitriensia, year: 2018, vol.: 22, number: 2, pages: 434-455
Abstract: Greek city-states formed a comprehensive social system with regard to the political and socio-economic aspects of their inhabitants. Polis, regarded as a political and religious group of people living in a particular area, had three basic components: the citizens, the political constitution and the territory. The citizens were involved in the construction of public buildings and in a number of other activities. This is probably why the role of communities, which directly defined the polis, was accentuated. At least in part egalitarian character of Greek society, dominated by Athenians, restricted the possibilities of portraying individuals. The tumultuous events of the Classical period spotlighted military commanders and politicians. This trend got stronger in the next centuries. While promoting equality, the poleis honoured beneficial acts and remarkable deeds of their citizens. Public places were filled with typified statues of “andres agathoi.” This statuary landscape of Greek cities, partially preserved in epigraphic finds, has almost disappeared. The importance of euergetism increased in the Late Classical period, becoming one of the main funding sources for the maintenance of public life. Individual citizens were rewarded with honorific inscriptions and were often granted other honours as well (they had a statue erected, were awarded a wreath, given praise, obtained seats in the first row at cultural and sporting agones etc.). The Hellenistic poleis – maintaining autonomy in the utmost sense – granted various honours and privileges to the members of royal dynasties and their close dignitaries. Particular emphasis was laid on military memorials, including equestrian statues, which became an integral part of the public monuments in antiquity.
Key words: Equestrian; Inscription; Monument; Polis; Statue;
Language: ENGLISH
Publication order reference:
Lucia Nováková – Trnavská univerzita v Trnave, Katedra klasickej archeológie, Hornopotočná 23, 91701 Trnava, Slovak Republic, mail: lucia.novakova@truni.sk,
Erik Hrnčiarik – Trnavská univerzita v Trnave, Katedra klasickej archeológie, Hornopotočná 23, 91701 Trnava, Slovak Republic, mail: erik.hrnciarik@truni.sk
Miroslava Daňová – Trnavská univerzita v Trnave, Katedra klasickej archeológie, Hornopotočná 23, 91701 Trnava, Slovak Republic, mail: miroslava.danova@truni.sk