BURIALS OF THE FALLEN IN ANCIENT GREECE Cover Image

BURIALS OF THE FALLEN IN ANCIENT GREECE
BURIALS OF THE FALLEN IN ANCIENT GREECE

Author(s): Lucia Nováková
Subject(s): Cultural history, Ancient World
Published by: Filozofski fakultet, Sveučilište u Splitu
Keywords: Antiquity; burial; fallen; Greece; war dead;

Summary/Abstract: The paper evaluates works of ancient authors who mention and provide details of the burial of fallen soldiers in ancient Greece, and then it compares them with preserved archaeological finds. Textual analysis shows a long-term tradition of war graves on battlefields. The commanders of the troops provided funeral services in the first place, as the extradition request of bodies was equal to the recognition of defeat. In most cases both sides had enough time to take care of their fallen after the battle, but there were exceptions when the last honors were rather provisional. In addition to burial directly on the battlefield, it seems that, depending on the circumstances, the removal of the remains to the hometown or burial outside the battlefield and outside the home also applies. The tombstones could have various forms, in the case of collective burials, tumuli with stelae bearing the names of the deceased were preferred, in the case of burial of military commanders, tombstones took the form of a monumental statue. Cremation burial is thought to have prevailed over inhumation.

  • Issue Year: 2021
  • Issue No: 14
  • Page Range: 167-180
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: English
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