Original scientific paper

The Frieze with Dancing Nymphs from Narona

Monika Verzár ; Università degli Studi di Trieste, Dipartimento di Scienze dell' Antichita

Abstract

The frieze with dancers from Narona, in the collections of the Archaeological Museum in Split, has been incorrectly interpreted to the present in the archaeological literature. This important monument, made of Greek marble, which has been dated so far to the mid 2nd century BC or somewhat later, has again been analyzed in terms of style and form. On the one hand, comparisons were suggested with works from the end of the Classical and the beginning of the Hellenistic period, such as one base with dancers from the Museum of the Athenian Acropolis, and a similar base from Balčik in Bulgaria, and on the other hand with monuments from the period of late Hellenism, such as the heroon frieze from Sagalassos in Pisidium, which is now dated to the Augustan period, or with neo-Attic monuments. These comparisons, together with the use of Proconessos marble, do not indicate a date prior to the second half of the 1st century BC. In terms of the original appearance of the monument, the starting point was that the relief must have been located above two preserved blocks. The frieze could have decorated a structure, perhaps on several sides, related to a cult site for worship of the Nymphs, probably in connection with Silvanus, as has been documented several times in the region.

Keywords

Narona; frieze with dancers; Nymphs

Hrčak ID:

37209

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/37209

Publication date:

23.5.2009.

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