Page 56 - Zbornik 27

NZ27/2003 BELE[KE UZ RIMSKE NADGROBNE SPOMENIKE... 57

Dr Aleksandar Jovanovi}

NOTES BESIDE ROMAN TOMBSTONES
ON DARDANIAN SPACE

This article is consisting from four notes about tombstones on Dardanian
space, and space round Pe} particularly.
In the first short line it is a word about tombstone of Ulpius Atikus, his da-
ughter Ulpia Ianuaria and his grandson Ulpius Thalasos, discovered in Pe} (pict.
1). Hairstyle and specific costume of Ulpia Ianuaria shows on immediate connecti-
ons with region round the middle flow of the Strymon river, and the nakedness and
beauty of good shaped body of Ulpius Thalasos indicates to virtue and heroism ac-
quired in palestra, and indirectly to idea Imitatio Herculli. The tombstone can be
connect with family colonized from mentioned region around the river Strymon
and dates in the second third of the second century A. D.
The second short line is related to specifics noticeable on female costume
from some monuments on Dardanian space, in Metohija particularly. It is about the
massive chain let with the elliptic medallion in the middle which connects fibulas
on shoulders of the deceased (pict. 2) detail like this is characteristic for Panonian
models of a female costume in period from the first century till the first half of the
third century. The Panonian elements are present on the tombstones in eastern
parts of province Dalmatia (Podrinje, Polimlje) and show for certain the ethnic and
cultural homogeneity of population. These cultural influences extended also on the
neighboring Dardanian spaces and they are manifestation of good neighboring re-
lations, cultural permeation and ethno-cultural imminence.
The next note is related to interpretation of one detail that is situated in verti-
cal axis of heraldic constitution of composition in the zone between aedicule with
bust of the deceased and inscription s field. It is about decoration in a shape of vine
that is placed on two hinges: kantharos from which rose vine and on the intake that
is represented with two spiral tendrils fronted (pict. 3). The tendrils are so fronted
to create between each other sandglass motif. This motif indicates stoic idea of set-
ting task of life and destiny’s moment, with reference to materialization of idea da-
ta mors. The monuments with decoration like this can be dated in the second and in
the first half of the third century A. D.
The last note is related to representation of the rider from one stony quad-
rangle from So~anica (Municipium DD). The young rider in easy pace with a bow
let down and with an arrow in his right hand is represented (pict. 4). Dilemma is it
riders divinity, maybe Mars equitem, which is Interpretatio romana of Dardanian
divinity of similar, sacral competences, or about the heroic deceased, I solve for the
second possibility benefit. To that I am directed by the barefooted rider, mantle
which flutters behind the rider emphasizing celebration and heroism, numerous