期刊名称：CEDRUS: The Journal of Mediterranean Civilisations Studies
印刷版ISSN：2147-8058
电子版ISSN：2148-1431
出版年度：2013
卷号：1
页码：89-105
语种：
出版社：Mediterranean Civilisations Research Institute (MCRI)
摘要：The subject matter of this paper consists of the iconographic roots of the human-headed, bird-bodied figures that appear on some of the Lycian grave reliefs in the Classical Period. In total there are five human-headed bird-bodied figures on two monuments standing in the acropolis of Xanthos. One is “Building F”, the other is the pillar tomb termed the “Harpy” Monument. Researchers have connected these human-headed bird-bodied figures with the descriptions of Sirens that are recorded in Greek Mythology. According to the accepted understanding today, the figure depicting the Siren was transported from eastern art to the shores of the western Aegean, a consequence of the increasing maritime-trade relationship of Mediterranean and Aegean peoples. However, neither the root nor the religious affiliations of this image that is found in Lycian tomb depictions have been examined in detail in studies concerning Sirens. This paper examines the origin of the “Lycian Sirens” and their status within the Lycian and Anatolian spiritual belief system, regarding both literary and archaeological evidence; with the aim of elucidating the presently obscure belief in the otherworld of the Lycian people.
