organizer: Zadar Archaeological Museum
co-organizer: Maritime and History Museum of the Croatian Littoral Rijeka
exhibition conceived by: Kornelia A. Giunio, Timka Alihodžić
exhibition opening: Museum’s exhibition hall on 7 June 2023 at 12 p.m.
exhibition remains open until 30 October 2023

The exhibition’s theme is presented in two units. The introductory unit entitled “Memento mori” (‘Remember That You Die’) created by Korneilia A. Giunio, Ph.D., presents the concept of death as it was experienced by early civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Etruria. A particular focus is accorded to the concept of death and the development of burial rites and customs in ancient Rome, with a detailed description of a Roman funeral and burial in the city of Rome.

The second unit by Timka Alihodžić, “Mors et fugacem persequitur virum” (‘Death Pursues Even the Fleeing Man’), attempts to recognize and present Roman burial customs in ancient Zadar through exhibits, reconstructed graves and posters. The emphasis has been placed on rites tied to death and ceremonies to see off the deceased, which are part of a human tradition and not a specific civilization and are tied to the customs practiced to this day, albeit in modified forms.

The exhibition will be accompanied by thematic lectures for the public and workshops for children.