Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 31/1. (2011)
Articles
The Funerary Stelae from Porolissum. Typological, Iconographical and Epigraphic Aspects 193 probably unaffordable for the majority of the population. The addition of the two lateral relief fields can be viewed as an adaptation of the features of classical’ type stelae, with the intent of emphasising the connection to the funerary constructions mentioned above. Instances of this phenomenon are encountered outside the borders of Dacia, as is the case of a stela from Obernburg am Main, in the province of Germania Superior (see: VEL 6975). In Roman Dacia, besides the stela from Porolissum, only two other examples of the aedicula-stelae (without lateral relief fields) are known, in Apulum (Ciongradi 2007, 176, no. S/A 59, Taf. 51), and Petnic, in Caras Severin County (IDR III/1, 122-123, no. 104, fig. 81). The only indication with regard to the dating of the monument, since the inscription field is missing, is provided by the full-figure representation of the mourning woman in the right lateral relief field, who is wearing a hairstyle ascribed to Iulia Domna, wife of Emperor Septimius Severus. On the basis of this observation, the monument can be dated in the period between the end of the 2nd century, and first part of the 3rd century AD. Type LB. Architectural stelae with triangular pediment and arched niche In Porolissum, one stela belonging to this type is known (2).7 The monument in question exhibits a series of features which are not consistent with the variant generally present in Dacia (Ciongradi 2007, 54-56). In the spandrel, i.e. the corner between the archivolt and the pediment, a small pilaster can be seen without suggesting any clear architectural function as we would expect on an architectural stela. This can either be interpreted as a mistake of the artisan, who initially intended to carve a pediment sustained by the columns through an architrave, either it was intended as a decorative element chosen in favour of the motifs generally used in this case (rosettes, dolphins, Genii). The upper part of the niche is decorated with a seashell motif, which is a typical decoration method for the medallion-shaped niches serving as background for the ‘portraits’ of the deceased (Ciongradi 2007, 113). In Roman Dacia, this category is most numerous in Apulum (Ciongradi 2007, 162), but it is also encountered in Micia, Cristesti (Mures County) and Cälan (Hunedoara County), in Dacia Superior (Ciongradi 2007,194; Teposu-Marinescu 1982, S 51, S 59). The schematic rendering of some of the architectural elements (the archivolt and the pediment), the non-organic depiction of the architectural structure, as well as the fact that the enclosure of the pediment lacks the profiled frame, suggest an analogy with two stelae, from Micia, and from Apulum, both dated on stylistic grounds, in the first half of the 2nd century AD (Ciongradi 2007, 54). If the analogy is correct, it is very probable that the piece discussed here dates from the same period. Type II.A. Inscription field and coping consisting of funerary lions The main feature of this type is represented by the rectangular field of inscription, which covers almost the entire surface of the monument, and the profiled frame consisting usually in a cyma reversa and a lintel moulding (Ciongradi 2007,42). The type is common to most of Dacia Superior (see: Ciongradi 2007;8 Teposu-Marinescu 19829). The variant with coping consisting of lions is encountered only in Porolissum (4), but we have no reason to suppose that we are 7 Fragment no. 3 is known only through a description; therefore it is not suitable for a typological and stylistic discussion. 8 SIS 32-35 (Ulpia Traiana Sarmizegetusa). 9 S 5, S6 (Apulum); S 7-10 (Tibiscum); S 11 (Mehadia); S 15 (Sännicolau Mare), S 16 (Strei Säcel).
