Limestone cippus base

Unknown

ca. 500–450 BCE · Limestone · Greek and Roman Art

A cippus is a large stone marker used by the Etruscans to establish a boundary or, more commonly, to mark the location of a tomb. The Etruscans produced several types of cippi. This example, the only one in the Museum's collection, is a cubic block that originally would have supported a large spherical, onion-shaped, or pointed stone. Each side of the block is carved with an identical scene showing symmetrically disposed horsemen. These almost certainly represent the twin gods, Castur and Pultuce (Roman: Castor and Pollux), among the most popular deities worshiped by the Etruscans. This type of cippus is closely associated with Chiusi, an important city in Central Italy.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 500–450 BCE

Medium

Limestone

Culture

Etruscan, probably Chiusine

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Fletcher Fund, 1925