Funerary Monuments - Roman Funerary Monuments (3/7)

Summary

The video script delves into the world of ancient Roman funerary monuments, highlighting their significance as status symbols and identity markers. It explores the variety in tomb sizes and designs, from modest markers to grand columbaria, reflecting the social hierarchy and burial practices of the era. Notable examples like the tomb of Gaius Cestius and the Mausoleum of Augustus are discussed, showcasing the grandeur and cultural influences in Roman tomb architecture.

Takeaways

• 🗿 Funerary monuments varied greatly in size and style, reflecting the status and identity of the deceased.
• 🏛 The size, architectural features, and decoration of tombs indicated the wealth and social standing of the person buried.
• 🌱 Simpler tombs or markers were often used for those who could not afford grander monuments.
• 🔗 Smaller graves sometimes mimicked the style of larger, more elaborate monuments.
• 🏡 Tombs were sometimes built onto existing structures, indicating a communal or shared burial practice.
• 📜 The epitaphs on tombs often revealed the names of those who had built the tombs and their final resting places.
• 🏺 Columbaria, or dovecot-like structures, provided communal burial spaces with niches for urns containing cremated remains.
• 🎨 The internal organization of tombs often followed a hierarchical principle, with the original founders occupying the most prominent spaces.
• 🔝 Wealthy patrons sometimes sponsored columbaria, providing a decent burial place for members of large households or trade groups.
• 🏰 Some of the most impressive tombs, like the Tomb of Cestius and the Tomb of Caecilia Metella, showcased the grandeur and taste of the late Republic and Augustan era.
• 🌳 The Mausoleum of Augustus was a monumental statement of the emperor's life and achievements, reflecting his desire to be remembered.

Q & A

What factors determined the type of funerary monument someone received in ancient Rome?

The type of funerary monument someone received was often influenced by their status, identity, and financial means. Factors such as the size and decor of the monument, architectural features, and whether the burial was single or communal all played a role.

How were the poor typically buried in ancient Roman cemeteries?

The poor were often buried in anonymous mass graves or graves marked by simple, perishable markers. In some cases, cremation graves were marked with amphora necks protruding from the ground.

What were 'steely' in ancient Roman funerary practices?

Steely were modest stone markers used to mark graves in Rome. They would protrude from the ground to indicate burial locations.

What is the significance of funerary altars in ancient Roman burials?

Funerary altars were used to mark graves or hold cremated ashes. However, these altars could also be part of larger funerary complexes, rather than standalone markers.

What was the function of columbaria in ancient Roman burial practices?

Columbaria were structures with rows of niches for storing urns containing cremated remains. They were often used for communal burials and allowed simple yet decent burial for slaves or groups united by shared professions, often sponsored by wealthy patrons.

What makes the Columbarium of Pomponius Hylas unique?

The Columbarium of Pomponius Hylas is unique because of its intricate design, which includes painted floral and mythological themes, stucco plaster work, and a small memorial in the stairwell with a glass mosaic edged with shells.

What is notable about the tomb of Gaius Cestius Apollo?

The tomb of Gaius Cestius Apollo is notable for its pyramid shape, which reflected the Roman taste for Egyptian styles during the Augustan era. The pyramid stands over 36 meters high and was made of concrete faced with Italian marble.

What does the tomb of Caecilia Metella reveal about her family’s status?

The tomb of Caecilia Metella, located on the Via Appia, emphasizes her family’s prominence. The inscription highlights her father’s role as a consul and possibly links her to Marcus Licinius Crassus, a close friend of Emperor Augustus.

How does the tomb of Augustus reflect his legacy?

Augustus' mausoleum, the largest tomb in Rome, reflects his desire to immortalize his life and achievements. It was completed in 28 BCE, many years before his death, and was described as a great mound topped with a bronze statue of Augustus.

Why is the original appearance of Augustus' mausoleum unclear today?

Much of the outer facing of limestone from Augustus' mausoleum has been robbed over time, and the original design and appearance are uncertain. The geographer Strabo described it as a tree-planted mound, but little of that remains today.

Outlines

00:00

🗽 Funerary Monuments and Social Status in Ancient Rome

This paragraph discusses the variety of funerary monuments in ancient Rome, highlighting how these structures reflected a person's social status and identity. The size, type, and decoration of the monuments, as well as whether the burial was single or communal, were significant indicators of wealth and standing. The text describes various forms of tombs, from simple markers to complex structures, and notes the practice of building tombs onto existing structures. It also mentions the use of funerary altars and the communal nature of some tombs, which provided burial spaces for the wealthy and the less fortunate. The Isola Sacra's main tombs are described as imposing structures with niches for urns, and the Columbarium of Pomponius Hylas is used as an example of a columbarium with niches for cremated remains. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of context when interpreting these funerary markers and the role of wealthy patrons in sponsoring columbaria for the less affluent.

05:01

🏛️ Grandiose Tombs of the Wealthy in Roman History

The second paragraph focuses on the extravagant tomb designs of the wealthy during the late Republic and Augustan era in Rome. It details the Tomb of Cestius, a pyramid-shaped monument that reflects Egyptian architectural influence and was incorporated into the city walls. The tomb's inscription provides information about Gaius Cestius Apollo, a chief magistrate and Tribune of the plebs, and the construction timeline. The Tomb of Caecilia Metella on the Via Appia is also described, noting its prominence and the importance of the woman buried there, as indicated by her family's status. The paragraph compares this tomb to the Mausoleum of Augustus, which was the largest tomb in the city and served as a testament to the Emperor's life and achievements. The Mausoleum's original appearance is uncertain, but it was described by the geographer Strabo, and its circular design is contrasted with the cylindrical shape of Caecilia Metella's tomb. The paragraph illustrates the grandeur and significance of these tombs in commemorating the lives of prominent Romans.

Keywords

💡Funerary monuments

Funerary monuments refer to the structures or objects erected to commemorate the dead. In the context of the video, these monuments come in various shapes and sizes, and their choice can reflect a person's status and identity. The size, type, and decoration of the monument were key indicators of the deceased's social standing. For instance, the video mentions that the tombs in the Isola Sacra were imposing structures, indicating the wealth and status of those interred within.

💡Status and identity

Status and identity are social constructs that denote an individual's position and characteristics within a society. The video discusses how the choice of funerary monuments could reveal a lot about a person's status and identity, with more elaborate and larger monuments signifying higher social standing. The epitaphs on the tombs, such as those in the Isola Sacra, reveal the names of the wealthy founders, emphasizing their importance and the desire to be remembered.

💡Columbaria

Columbaria are structures designed for the storage of cremated remains, often in the form of multiple niches or compartments. The term originates from the Latin word for 'dovecot.' In the video, columbaria are described as communal burial places that provided decent burial for those who might not have been able to afford individual tombs. The Columbarium of Pomponius Hylas is highlighted as an example, with its walls lined with niches for urns and intricately painted designs.

💡Epitaphs

An epitaph is an inscription on a tomb or monument that commemorates the deceased, often including their name, accomplishments, and dates of birth and death. The video mentions that the epitaphs on the tombs in the Isola Sacra reveal the names of those who had built the tombs as their final resting place, serving as a testament to their legacy and the desire to be remembered after death.

💡Cremation

Cremation is the process of reducing a body to ashes through the application of intense heat. The video discusses how some graves were marked with ant fora, which were the necks of urns containing cremated remains. This method of burial was one of the ways in which the deceased were commemorated, and the use of urns and columbaria for storing ashes was a common practice, as seen in the Columbarium of Pomponius Hylas.

💡Architectural features

Architectural features refer to the design elements and components of a building or structure. The video emphasizes that the use of architectural features in funerary monuments was a key aspect of their design, with larger and more elaborate structures signifying higher status. Examples include the tomb of Gaius Cestius, which was built in the shape of a pyramid, reflecting the Egyptian influence in Augustan Rome.

💡Communal burial

Communal burial involves the interment of multiple individuals in a shared grave or tomb. The video describes how some tombs, like those in the Isola Sacra, had a communal nature, providing burial for the wealthy founder as well as for others who might have struggled to attain a decent burial. This practice allowed for a collective remembrance and a shared space for the deceased.

💡Tomb design

Tomb design encompasses the aesthetic and structural elements of a funerary monument. The video discusses how tomb design in ancient Rome was varied and could be as simple as a stone marker or as elaborate as a pyramid, like the tomb of Gaius Cestius. The design of a tomb was often a reflection of the deceased's wealth, taste, and cultural influences, with some tombs incorporating Egyptian or other architectural styles.

💡Wealthy patrons

Wealthy patrons are individuals of significant financial means who sponsor or fund various projects, including funerary monuments. The video mentions that columbaria were often sponsored by wealthy patrons, providing a means for simple but decent burial for members of large households or groups. This sponsorship allowed for the creation of communal burial spaces that might not have been possible otherwise.

💡Cultural influences

Cultural influences refer to the impact of one culture on another, often seen in art, architecture, and customs. The video highlights the Egyptian influence on Roman tomb design, as exemplified by the pyramid-shaped tomb of Gaius Cestius. This cultural borrowing reflects the fascination with Egyptian styles and the desire to incorporate them into Roman funerary practices.

Highlights

Funerary monuments varied in shape and size, reflecting a person's status and identity.

The size, type of monument, and extent of decor were key indicators of social status.

Architectural features and whether the burial was single or communal were important aspects of tombs.

People often chose tombs they could afford, which could range from mass graves to modest markers.

Some cremation graves were marked with ant fora, with necks protruding from the ground.

Modest tombs often mimicked the style of larger monuments.

Tombs were sometimes built onto existing structures in Rome.

Steely, or modest stone markers, were used to indicate graves.

Funerary altars marked graves or held ashes, but their context is crucial for interpretation.

Communal tombs like those in the Isola Sacra provided burial for the wealthy and the less fortunate.

Columbaria, or dovecot-like structures, offered communal burial spaces with niches for urns.

The Columbarium of Pomponius Hylas is a well-preserved example of a columbarium.

Columbaria were often sponsored by wealthy patrons, providing burial for large households or trade groups.

Wealthy individuals had no bounds in tomb design, as seen in the tomb of Cestius near the Ostian Gate.

The tomb of Caecilia Metella on the Via Appia reflects the importance of its occupant.

The tomb of Augustus, known as the Mausoleum of Augustus, was the largest tomb in the city.

The Mausoleum of Augustus was a statement of his life, achievements, and how he wished to be remembered.

Transcripts

funerary monuments came in all shapes

and sizes

the choice of memorial could say a lot

about a person's status and identity the

size and type of monument the extent of

decor or the use of architectural

features were all key as was whether the

burial was single or communal in many

cases people got the tomb they could

afford for the pall

this could mean burial in anonymous mass

graves or at best in places indicated by

simple perishable markers at the easel

of sacra necropolis some cremation

graves were simply marked with ant fora

the necks of which protruded from the

ground other modest tombs were dotted

between the larger constructions these

smaller graves often mimicked the style

of the larger monuments tombs might also

be built onto existing structures in

Rome we also find examples of modest

stone markers these are so-called steely

which would have marked the grave by

protruding from the ground funerary

altars also marked graves or could hold

ashes however when we look at such items

removed from their original context we

need to be careful not to make simple

assumptions a funeral altar for example

may have been part of a funerary complex

rather than a simple isolated marker

these two altars which separately

commemorate two women were found

together and may well have been held in

a substantial family tomb or walled

enclosure the main tombs of the Isola

sacra were imposing structures the

epitaphs reveal the names of those who

had built the tombs as their final

resting place

inside the tombs the walls were lined

with Nicias to hold urns filled with the

cremated remains there could be row upon

row of niches these tombs had a communal

nature providing burial not just for the

wealthy founder but also for those who

otherwise might have struggled to attain

decent burial in Rome so-called

columbaria from the Latin for dovecot

operated on similar principles these

large columbaria are now mainly lost but

this small example known as the

Columbarium of pomponius Hylas

incorporates the essential features a

steep stairs leads into the subterranean

chamber the walls and ceiling are

plastered and painted with intricate

designs using floral and mythological

themes the walls are lined with numerous

niches urns containing cremated remains

were sunk into these niches lids would

have covered and protected the remains

some niches have inscribed plaques

naming those buried the internal space

was probably organized on hierarchical

principles the original founders of the

tomb would have occupied this ornate

central structure which holds large urns

the attached epitaph names them as

granny's nest or and vinnil a ahead own

a and painted portraits of a husband and

wife adorn the niche

additionally dick killer you were added

to the adjacent wall decorated with

stucco plaster work these provided prime

space for several burials in modern

times the tomb takes its name from the

small memorial in the stairwell this has

a glass mosaic edged with shells that

names pomponius Hylas columbaria were

often sponsored by wealthy patrons and

allowed simple but decent burial for

members of large slave households or

groups united by a shared trade for the

wealthy tomb design held no bounds some

of the largest and most striking tombs

date to the late Republic and August an

era the tomb of cestius near the ostian

gate is still a famous landmark in Rome

it was preserved by being built into the

late city walls at the time of its

construction it reflected the taste for

all things Egyptian in August and Rome

the pyramid which stands more than 36

meters high was constructed of concrete

and faced with Italian marble

the inscription reveals how it was the

tomb of Gaius Cestius Apollo who was a

chief magistrate and Tribune of the

plebs a smaller inscription on the east

side reveals that the pyramid was built

in accordance of sesterces will in 330

days

the tomb of khai calumet ella on the Via

Appia is one of the roads most prominent

landmarks the location and size of the

tomb are suggestive of this woman's

importance the inscription reads to

helium atella daughter of Quintus

arias Metellus critic Asst wife of

Crassus

her father was Consul in 69 BCE and a

husband may have been Marcus Licinius

Crassus a good friend of the Emperor

Augustus the to make em er 8 a woman but

it also emphasizes the overall

importance of her family and celebrates

their success the tomb consists of a

cylindrical drum on a square base the

crenelated brick wall was added when the

tomb became part of a fortress in the

12th century the shape of the tomb of

khai helium atella echoes that of

arguably the most famous tomb in rome

the morsel IAM of the emperor augustus

this survives as a huge circular ruin

planted with cypresses the tomb was

completed in 28 BCE many years before

the Emperor's death with an outer

diameter of 89 meters it was the largest

tomb in the city

most of the outer facing of limestone

has been robbed and the overall original

appearance and design of the tomb is

unclear the geographer strabo who saw

the tomb in 7 BCE described it as a

great mound on a high foundation but was

planted with trees and topped with a

bronze statue of Augustus Augustus is

more so Liam was the ultimate statement

such a tomb celebrated or Gus's life and

achievements and made it very clear how

he wished to be remembered