Exedrae as a tool of social visibility

Abstract

The article is focused on the public presentation of (not only) influential persons – the aristocracy, high-ranking citizens (euergetes and benefactors) in ancient Greece in the period from the end of the 5th century BC to the 2nd century AD – through structures known as exedrae. These architectural features, located on sites that are part of the cultural heritage, can still be found in situ in the entire Eastern Mediterranean region. Presented will be case examples of exedrae and their connection to social presentation as well as the issue of the primary purpose of their construction. In conclusion, two cases of these type of structures and its fate will be mentioned in connection with its removal from the original findspot in effort to present it in a museum.

Keywords

• exedrae
• scholae
• social situation
• euergetism
• benefactorism
• social visibility