Tombstone of Aristokydes son of Xenokles, from Keos (Volos Λ230)

painted stele with palm motif on the top

© HMCS, EFA Magnesias, photo: M. Stamatopoulou

detial of painted stele showing a man

© HMCS, EFA Magnesias, photo: M. Stamatopoulou

Aristokydes, beardless, stands nearly frontal, looking out towards the viewer. He wears a light brown chitoniskos (knee-length dress), a belted cuirass and a chlamys (cloak) and army boots, and carries a sword in his left hand. He is united in a handshake (dexiosis) with a young boy, who stands against a dark coloured wall.  Aristokydes’ weapons, statuesque posture, and the finger-ring on his left hand, together with the size of the tombstone (H: 2m high) imply that he was an officer in the Macedonian army. A herm in profile painted below the scene alludes to the role of Hermes Psychopompos.