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Document Details :

Title: Elite Ideology in Praeneste
Subtitle: On the Imagery of Pear-shaped Mirrors and cistae
Author(s): VAN DER MEER, L. Bouke
Journal: BABESCH
Volume: 91    Date: 2016   
Pages: 105-128
DOI: 10.2143/BAB.91.0.3175646

Abstract :
This article aims to cast light upon the mindset of the Praenestine elite during the second half of the 4th century BC by focusing on the engraved scenes on 206 pear-shaped mirrors and 90 cistae (toiletry boxes). Mauro Menichetti’s paideia theory implying that cista scenes show rites of passage of men and women will be examined, also with reference to the mirror scenes. It will be shown that in both media Dionysiac, bathing-, victory-, and love themes are the leitmotifs rather than rites of passage. The paper also includes several new interpretations of images. Appendix I lists the cistae and Appendix II the mirrors.

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