Lycos Laodikeiası'ndan yüksek kabartmalı friz bloğu

Abstract

High Relief Block from Laodicea ad Lycum The relief block was found during excavations in 2003 in front of The Fountain Building which was dedicated to Septimius Severus. Having dimensions of 2.05 x 0.93 m., it is rectangular in shape and has a thickness of 0.24,5 m. Here, it had been used as the frontal block of a small pool, which had been built close to the main pool. The parapet blocks of the main pool arise from the rear part of the small pool. Flat, short blocks had been placed on both sides. This pool from the Late Antique Period had been finished by strengthening these columns using iron clamps and covering with lime plaster to prevent leakage of water. The relief block is made of medium-porous, poor quality white marble. it is slightly deformed, presumably due to damage caused by falling, and covered in layers of lime due to remaining underground for many years. There is some heavy destruction and breakage particularly to the hand and foot ends and to the drapery of the figures. Heads and faces of the fıgures were deliberately destroyed in this second usage due to religious fears and to prevent identification. it is likely that the monumental fountain was destroyed by the powerful earthquake of 494 A.D. Shortly after this, according to the common applications in the Early Byzantine Period, the small pool was built and was likely used until another powerful earthquake struck at the first half of the 7th century A.D. There are sixteen figures on the high relief block. Eight of them are male, and eight are female. Ten of the figures are in the foreground of the panel and six are in the background. Seven figures, depicted from left to right, represent immortals whilst the other nine figures represent mortals. On the relief, Earth Mother is pictured sitting on her throne with fruits in her embrace and holding grain in her left hand. On right side of Earth Mother, there is a girl leaning against her throne, and in front of her, a boy stretching to fruits on the embrace of Earth Mother. This representation type of Earth Mother is similar to the Tellus or Pax in Ara Pacis Augustae. Behind her, there are two Horai and an Oriental figure wearing a Phrygian cap. in front of them, there are Pax and another figure wearing a short khiton. Latter is shown in profile and border this group. On the right of panel a married couple with two sons who was considered as a prominent family of Laodicea is being represented. Here, in addition to cities living in plenty, fertility and peace under Roman rule, it is aimed to propagandise the religious and political thought. The administrator family of Laodiceia is represented with immortals to emphasize their proximity with gods and also with the Emperor's family. On the relief, according to the mentality of society at that time, the unity of the family has been emphasized, and a life with peace, abundance and fertility has been given allegorically. The Classical and Hellenistic style used to represent the figures is consistent with the Classicistic thought of Late Antonine-Early Severan Period. it is possible to see the influence of Aphrodisias, and also characteristic of the region sculpture in the contrast made between light and shadow using deep drill grooves on the drapery.