Three monuments to Rhodopaios: a case study of re-use and continuity at Aphrodisias in the sixth century

The honorific monuments erected in late antiquity the city of Aphrodisias are striking their preservation and appearance. Two scholars, Charlotte Roueché R.R.R. Smith, have provided full ground-breaking publications these extracted important information from careful study epigraphic sculptural elements. Further conducted under aegis Smith B. Ward-Perkins Last Statues Antiquity Project, has grounded larger, empire-wide context antiquity. These fine academic studies made Aphrodisian honours points reference. Without work distinguished this paper would not be possible or relevant. This seeks merely to focus attention on small details structure, technique, iconography an attempt sharpen our vision very last monuments. It endeavours distinguish tendencies specific sixth-century statuary habit at understand concept re-use recycling that moment statue culture conservative city, by looking three dedicated same man moments habit. statues one Rhodopaios second quarter sixth century, preserved different states. is divided into parts; introduction considers main trends statuary, presentation Rhodopaios, a conclusion. On cover:Late Roman wall, portion immediately south West Gate (Porta Oea) with re-used blocks first-century mausolea (Drawing Francesca Bigi) Tombstone Regina South Shields (Arbeia) (Tyne WearArchives Museums/ Bridgeman Images). E-ISSN (online version) 2611-3686 ISSN (print 0065-0900