This paper will give an insight into the practice of the so-called "damnatio memoriae". Therefore, I would like to explain at the beginning the general handling of the inhabitants of the Roman Empire with their deceased, to subsequently show the origin of the memorial punishments and the term "damnatio memoriae". Based on some examples from the imperial house, the virtually archaeological part of the memorial punishments will be clarified. It should be shown which monuments were destroyed and reworked. Finally, these examples illustrate the theoretical concept of memorial punishments and the goals that have been pursued.
To investigate the question of the importance of remembrance and how to deal with the deceased in the Roman Empire, I have consulted various sources. Inscriptions as well as monuments and portraits, as well as modern ethnological and socio-cultural approaches were examined and pursued. Unfortunately, it became clear during my research that the various scientists were unable to agree on a uniform terminology or a way of dealing with the ancient remains. This lack of interdisciplinarity made the research difficult and painted a clear picture of the research landscape. A comprehensive publication dealing with both the archaeological findings and the socio-cultural component of "damnatio memoriae" is still missing. Although this was attempted in the beginning, most of the arising problems were ignored.
In this paper, I would therefore like to give an overview, not only about the findings and discoveries, but also about the state of research. Finally, I would like to try to address the issue of memorial punishment not just as an archaeologist, but also, by embedding the issue in our senior seminar, with a cultural-scientific approach.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Dealing with the deceased in the Roman Empire
- The origin of the damnatio memoriae
- Examples
- The concept and its purpose
- The damnatio memoriae in modernity
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to provide an overview of the practice of damnatio memoriae in the Roman Empire, placing it within the broader context of the seminar "The Meaning of Destruction." It will explore the Roman culture of remembrance, the origins and purpose of memorial punishments, and their impact on monuments and individual lives. The study will also connect these historical practices to modern examples of damnatio memoriae.
- Roman culture of remembrance and its significance
- The origins and development of damnatio memoriae
- The purpose and impact of memorial punishments
- Examples of damnatio memoriae from the Roman Empire
- Connections between ancient and modern forms of damnatio memoriae
Chapter Summaries
- Introduction: This chapter establishes the context for the paper, outlining the significance of life after death in the Roman Empire and the role of memory in shaping individual and societal perceptions. It introduces the practice of damnatio memoriae and its relevance to the seminar "The Meaning of Destruction."
- Dealing with the deceased in the Roman Empire: This chapter delves into the common practices of the Roman Empire in dealing with their deceased. It examines archaeological evidence, including necropolises, tombs, inscriptions, and figurative depictions, to illustrate the importance of remembering the dead. The chapter also explores the role of family, social status, and cultural traditions in shaping these practices.
Keywords
The key terms and concepts in this paper revolve around the Roman culture of remembrance, the practice of damnatio memoriae, and its implications for understanding ancient history and its connection to modern concepts. Key words include: damnatio memoriae, memorial punishment, Roman Empire, memory culture, monuments, inscriptions, archaeology, history, and cultural studies.
- Quote paper
- Anna Grosch (Author), 2018, Ancient Memory Culture and its History in Research. Damnatio Memoriae, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1306260
