Artists make functional objects and structures more meaningful

Capitoline Museum, Rome, 917, Proconnesian Marble

This sarcophagus is decorated with a scene from the Calydonian boar hunts. This scene show Meleager hunting a boar in from the goddess of hunting, Artemis. This scene gave more meaning to the sarcophagus of a certain family member that was being buried. The family member must have been a strong hunter and the decoration of the sarcophagus is honoring that strength. It could also be a record of the last event this family member participated in, which could honor their bravery and courage.

 

 

Capitoline Tensa in the Capitoline Museum, Rome, 325-350 A.D., Bronze

The wagon is decorated in bronze panels, showing episodes from the life of Achilles. The bronze plates resembled ones that decorated a tensa, which was a chariot that carried the gods. This wagon most likely was used for private transport of wealthy citizens. The decorations of Achilles on this wagon showed how much the people of Rome honored their gods. The bronze used for decoration, showed also showed the prestige of the wealthy and separated them from the rest of the normal citizens.