Paragrafi 1-5: in Luigi M. Caliò, G. Raimondi, Tombe “eccellenti” e infrastrutture urbane. Problemi di topografia funeraria

The recent discovery of four monumental mausoleums in Gortyna of Crete in the urban plan and in close relationship with the stadium is an opportunity to resume the dossier regarding excellent intra urbem burials in the Hellenistic Mediterranean. The sense of the great mausoleums acquires a particular meaning that must be read within a wider vision that finds its roots in the Hellenistic East and in particular in the management of royalty, that, between the eastern satrapies of the Achaemenid Kingdom and the early Hellenistic Kingdoms, changes the behaviour of the Mediterranean aristocracy that more and more conforms to aulic models. The intentional decision to create a building of memory, that is also a funeral structure for the memory of the deceased benefactor, denotes a thoughtful and specific choice and the will of the client. This creates a building that commemorates and at the same time attracts large sections of the population. The phenomenon allows to observe the changes of society from the political, economic and social point of view, which is of great importance for the analysis of the cults of citizens and eminent historical personalities. The phenomenon of the heroization of the deceased represents the apex of the hierarchical pyramid of the honours of citizens acknowledged by the community. Personal virtues are thus exalted in life and after the death of the character.