Name of Object:

Sarcophagus of the mourning women

Location:

Istanbul, Türkiye

Holding Institution:

Istanbul Archaeological Museums

 About Istanbul Archaeological Museums, Istanbul

Date of Object:

It is thought to be the sarcophagus of the King of Sidon, Straton (374-358 BC)

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Stone work

Provenance:

Sidon

Description:

In the Sarcophagus of the Crying Women, found at the Royal Necropolis in Sidon like the Alexander Sarcophagus, nothing could be found other than the bones of its owner and a bronze belt buckle, since it had been robbed in an earlier time. From the partial traces on the marble that remained until today, it is understood that it had been dyed in blue and red initially. It is the best example of the group called by archaeologists "Sarcophagi with Columns", and it is considered as a final resting place, like the "Mausoleum of Halicarnassus" or the "Nereid Monument", rather than a tomb. Its architectural features were used in the architecture of the old building of the İstanbul Archaeological Museums. It is an example of Greek sculpture displaying Eastern influences. The shaved heads, bare feet, ragged clothes of the figures and their movements and expressions of sadness are features of Semitic societies. It is thought to be the sarcophagus of the King of Sidon, Straton (374-358 BC), who was said to have led a life of pleasure. The sarcophagus has the shape of an Ionian temple.

Citation of this web page:

"Sarcophagus of the mourning women" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;tr;184;en

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Daniel de la Vega is a copy editor based in Portland, Oregon. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in linguistics from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2014 and has since done editing and localization work on everything from college applications to magazines to video game dialogue.

MWNF Working Number: TR2 180