Gravestone with mother and child

Maternal death was a frequent occurrence in antiquity. Many mothers died young, during or after childbirth. A death of this kind is depicted on these gravestones, in a scene that makes an almost domestic impression: the young mother sits on a chair and stretches out her arms to take a little child, who is being held by a servant. This relief dates from the 5th century BC, and demonstrates the high standard of sculpture that existed in this period.