Marble Stele of Sostratos in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sept. 2007

Marble stele (grave marker) of Sostratos
Greek, Attic, ca. 375-350 BC

Accession # 08.258.41

The inscription at the top of the stele informs us that it commemorates Sostratos, the son of Teisandros, of the deme of Paiana (an adminstrative 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 an aryballos (oil flask) and carries a garment over his 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 hear hair and beats her breast- traditional expressions of grief. The sphinxes at each end of the superstructure are guardians of the tomb.

Text from the Metropolitan Museum of Art label.