Contribution to the study of the funerary iconography in Upper Moesia – representations of physical contact on Roman sepulchral monuments

Abstract

Roman tombstones were exhibited in a public space along the main roads directly outside towns and settlements. Carved reliefs and inscriptions on them provided information about the deceased and created the desired image of them using symbolism that was recognisable throughout the entire Roman Empire. This paper will inspect representations of physical contact on tombstones from the territory of the province of Upper Moesia. Dextrarum iunctio and family embraces were detected, occurring mainly on family portraits, within the same iconographic scheme as in other Danube provinces of the Empire