Die Porträtmedaillons und Porträtnischen des Stadtgebietes von Flavia Solva

The present second fascicle of CSIR Flavia Solva (CSIR Austria IV / 2) treats like the corresponding volume for Virunum (Austria CSIR II / 2) the free standing portrait medallions and portrait niches originally belonging to grave monuments from the territory of the Municipium Flavia Solva (Wagna bei Leibnitz, Styria). Deviating from previous practice it was tried to treat the monuments − portrait medallions and portrait niches apart from each other − in chronological order and to discuss the reasons for the respective date for every single monument in detail. The portrait representations from Flavia Solva are – as already for some time has been recognised – a group of monuments from Roman times of extraordinary quality from the area of today's Styria. Datings on stylistic base following the example of the city-Roman portraits nevertheless can only seldom be given. The datings are based primarily on antiquarian bases – hairstyle and beard as well as garment. The opinion that the portrait representations break off after the wars against the Marcomanni – as the older research had thought – is by no means right, as in any case during the whole 3rd cent. A. D. until the beginning of the 4th cent. A.D. the development of portraits can be pursued continously. The attempt to ascertain workshops for the preserved monuments – 2,5-5% of the originally available gravestones – is difficult, however, it could be undertaken on account of the suitable preliminary works for the group of the late portraits.