Healing, death and burial

Reduced copy of a statue of Asklepius

Alabaster bottle

Large glass jar  

Glass bottle

To find relief from aches and pains, both men and women sought advice from doctors and visisted sanctuaries sacred to Asklepius, son of Apollo, and hero-god of healing. In art, Asklepius generally appears as a mature, bearded man; his constant attributes are the staff and the snake. 

Proper funeral ceremonies were essential family observances. The dead were carried in procession to the graveyard, received food, drink, and other burial gifts. Mourners brought flasks with oil, wine and perfume, used both for the funeral rites and as gifts to the dead at regular graveside visits. Gravestones show melancholy farewells, or give inscriptions of appreciation by family members.