Arethatos (Masḥarā)

 

A trapezoid slab featuring a relief bust of a man in a frontal view. Both upper extremities are flexed, forming a 90-degree angle at the elbows. The left palm supports a bowl, the content of which is being manipulated by the right thumb and index finger. The clothes consist of a tunic forming V-shaped folds below the neck and a cloak, the vertical folds of which cover the shoulders and arms. A bracelet, or perhaps simply the hem of a sleeve, surrounds the right wrist. The neck circumference is widened with prominent sternocleidomastoid muscles bilaterally framing Adam's apple. The mandible is broad and covered by a dense, short beard. The mustache appears to extend and join the sideburns as well as the beard. The eyes are almond-shaped, and the forehead is broad with a receding hairline at the frontoparietal junctions. The skull is covered by short, curly hair that leaves the small ears exposed. 

A Greek inscription of five lines occupies the upper corner of the slab on the right of the head, and another one, of two lines, is identified on the left. The text reads as follows:

ΑΡΕΘΑΤΟΣ ΣΑΙΟΥ ΖΗΣΑ
ΕΤΩΝ Ζ

"Arethatos, son of Saios, aged 60 years." 

The nose is chipped, the stone is otherwise in excellent condition. 

Provenance: Provenance: Masḥarā. 

Era: second half of the 2nd century CE.

Substance: basalt. 

Dimensions: H 92 cm, W 48 cm, D 15 cm. 

Text: adapted from Weber (p. 63). 

Collection: the National Museum of Damascus (the garden). 

Thomas M. Weber. Sculptures from Roman Syria in the Syrian National Museum of Damascus. Vol I, from Cities and Villages in Central and Southern Syria. Wernersche Verlagsgesellschaft. Worms. 2006.