This dissertation was written as part of the MA in Black Sea Cultural Studies at the International Hellenic University. One of the main desires of every civilized society was the commemoration of the dead. This necessity was frequently demonstrated by the erection of above-ground grave markers which performed a dual role, that of honoring and preserving the memory of the deceased as well as signaling the position of a grave. One of the commonest markers was stone slabs, the stelae, carrying relief representations and inscriptions which over the years and through the evolution of sepulchral art acquired an elaborated form. In this context, main aim of this thesis is the presentation of funerary reliefs derived from the Black Sea region and in particular from the roman provinces of Moesia Inferior and Thrace in the West and the Kingdom of Bosporus in the North coasts. As the majority of studies focused in the examination of the funeral material from a certain geographical area, an attempt will be made for the assemblage and introduction of stone funerary monuments from an enlarged part of the Black Sea so through the examination of the architectural form and the iconographical subjects, elements from the Greek, native and Roman tradition as similarities and differences regarding the evolution of funerary art can be detected.
