A Comparative Study of Clothing in human mythology in wall paintings with Syrian women of the Roman period (the functionalism approach of Malinowski)

Basal, Alaa; Dadvar, Abolghasem; Kateb, Fatemeh; Mounesi Sorkheh, Maryam

doi:10.22059/jwica.2023.357663.1914

A Comparative Study of Clothing in human mythology in wall paintings with Syrian women of the Roman period (the functionalism approach of Malinowski)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Alaa Basal ¹

abolghasem dadvar ²

fatemeh kateb ³

maryam mounesi sorkheh ⁴

¹ PhD Student , Department of Research of Art, Faculty of Art , Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

² Corresponding author:Professor, Department of Research of Art, Faculty of Art, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

³ Professor, Department of Research of Art, Faculty of Art, AlZahra University, Tehran, Iran

⁴ assistant professor, department of textile and fashion design, faculty of Art, Alzahra university, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jwica.2023.357663.1914

Abstract

Roman Mythology holds an immortal and sacred place and is of great value artistically and historically as it personifies gods in the form of human bodies with supernatural powers. The mythical figures, such as gods and demigods, and epic and symbolic scenes are depicted within Roman murals in Syria. Providing an interpretation of morals and traditions, the given murals portray how the society's functional and inner values and religions are pursued. Women's clothing is manifested as a civilizational component in a significant section of Roman Syrian society. The research objective is to identify mythological themes in human patterns and reliefs and grasp their meaning by focusing on the details of women's clothing in five murals and comparing them with those of Syrian women's clothing during the Roman period as analyzed by Malinowski's need and institution components. In the general sense, the concept of functionalism implies a relationship established within an institution. What are the differences and similarities between the clothing in murals and among Syrian women of the Roman period under an emphasis on Malinowski's mythological elements from a functionalistic perspective? The results indicate that in addition to meeting clothing needs, the type of attire and practical colors in the murals and garments of Syrian women during the Roman period also address spiritual solidarity and cultural needs, such as ethicality, social beliefs, and orientation toward religion. There are common grounds between women's clothing in the murals and the garments of Roman Syrian women, and both entail aspects of providing protection, observing social manners, and denoting women's emotional and economic status. In Roman civilization, colors would bear sanctity and represent an individual's eminence. In the case of Syrian women of the Roman period, institutions were to meet women's needs and hold a positive role in society's survival as a whole. In addition to its role in resolving primary needs and taking recourses to meet derivative needs, Roman clothing is also displayed in the form of customs and traditions. The research method is comparative-historical analysis with documentary technique as the data collection method.

Keywords

Malinovsky'

s Functionalism

Mythology

Roman Syria

Wall Painting

Women'

s Clothing

Subjects

Art Research

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