Abstract

The stelae that line the necropoleis of Classical and Hellenistic Greece were abundant with portraits and figures framing the resting places of the deceased. This imagery, however, was not exclusively human, but included limited animal types. The presence of these animals alongside humans raises an interesting question, namely, what do these animal companions represent and what made them significant enough to be featured on funerary stelae? The presence of domestic animals, mainly birds and dogs, speaks to a larger connection between humans and animals, not only in life but also within death. Yet it is not always clear whether these animals are meant to be viewed literally or symbolically. Focusing on these connections through material evidence, this thesis seeks out patterns within the extant stelae and considers standard and unconventional compositions and relationships between animals and children, on whose gravestones animals appear most frequently. This paper argues that the appearance of domestic animals on these stelae connects the viewer more intimately to the imagery as these stelae attempt to capture a shared adoration of pets and invoke empathy within the viewer. Through careful analysis of material culture and scholarly discourse on the subject, this thesis presents the complications of inscribing definitive meanings to motifs within ancient artwork while highlighting many of the suggested interpretations of these stelae and their significance. With the elements of grief surrounding children and pets – society’s most fragile and precious members – these stelae allow a glimpse into the humanity of the ancient Greeks, as well as the inherent difficulties that emerge from viewing these intimate sculptures from such a large cultural distance.

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