• Tuesday 18 March - Panel VIII

Degrees of differentiation: Role models on early Christian sarcophagi

Janet Huskinson

This paper will look at visual imagery on pre-Constantinian sarcophagi from Rome and its environs, to consider how role models were presented to their intended audience, and in particular how, how far, and why these Christian models were differentiated from those used by contemporary 'pagan' and secular society. It will thus address questions central to the theme of the conference.

It goes without saying that the period before the Peace of the Church is extremely important for the formation of Christina art in terms of iconographical development, with the adoption/adaptation of existing artistic models to new ends that the emergence of specifically biblical subjects. It is equally important if we look at its art as evidence for the Christian community which produced and used it: what does the imagery indicate about their sense of identity, as individuals and as a group?

This paper will look at two particular categories of 'role model' to be found on Christian sarcophagi of this period, and will explore the interrelationship of artistic and ideological factors in their development and use.

1. Role models from biblical scenes (e.g., Jonah, the Three Young Hebrews in the fiery furnace, etc.). By using models, whose stories and circumstances would have been relevant only to themselves, Christians marked themselves off as 'different' from the outside world.
   
   
2. Figures from the contemporary funerary repertory (e.g., the Shepherd, the Philosopher, his standing woman companion). By using these, Christians start with a reference point in the wider community, and differentiation was more subtle (even covert ?), and evolutionary as some new identities are forged.

Department of Classical Studies, Faculty of Arts, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA.

J.A.R.Huskinson@open.ac.uk