The Necropoleis of Mytilene from the Archaic to the Roman Periods. Spatial Organisation and Interpretative Issues

Necropoleis constitute an important element of the spatial organisation of public space in the ancient city of Mytilene. The city’s burial grounds were used from the Late Protogeometric and Geometric periods to the Roman era and are closely related to transformations of t he residential space, t he construction of the fortifications, the flourishing or declining economy, as well as the historical circumstances.

In the early 5th c entury B C t he a rchaic s cattered cemeteries were replaced by the North, South and West Necropoleis, which were situated extra muros, outside the three major city gates. In the Early Classical period, the North and South Necropoleis encompassed some sparsely arranged burial groups, but during the Hellenistic and Roman periods they expanded over a much larger area than before, stretching along the roads that led to the city.

The diverse and rich archaeological material related to the necropoleis of Mytilene cannot be exhaustively discussed in the limited context of the present article. However, a comprehensive methodology and synthetic implementation is attempted, devoting particular attention on the grave typology, funerary monuments and grave markers, burial customs and grave goods. At the same time, in addition to the excavation data, the epigraphic evidence is also considered wherever possible.

Keywords:

Lesbos, Mytilene, necropoleis, topography, funerary monuments, grave markers, burial customs, altars, funerary inscriptions, gladiatorial monuments, Archaic tombs, Hellenistic funerary monuments