Marble stele (grave marker) of Sostratos

ca. 375–350 BCE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 159
The inscription at the top of the stele informs us that it commemorates Sostratos, the son of Teisandros, of the deme of Paiania (an administrative precinct of Athens). Sostratos is presented as an athlete. In his right hand, he holds a strigil, the metal scraper used to cleanse the skin after it had been rubbed with oil. The slave boy beside him holds the aryballos (oil flask) and carries a garment over left shoulder. The youth's hand touching his head suggests that he may be crowning himself after a victory. The placement of the fingers offers the alternative that the gesture is one of mourning. This theme is continued in the siren just above: she tears her hair and beats her breast—traditional expressions of grief. The sphinxes at each end of the superstructure are guardians of the tomb.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Marble stele (grave marker) of Sostratos
  • Period: Late Classical
  • Date: ca. 375–350 BCE
  • Culture: Greek, Attic
  • Medium: Marble, Pentelic
  • Dimensions: Overall: 54 1/8 x 24 x 6 in. (137.5 x 61 x 15.2 cm)
  • Classification: Stone Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1908
  • Object Number: 08.258.41
  • Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.