Archaeological Museum of Bologna

The stele is exceptional both for its size and for the representation on the main side. There is in fact carved the image of a big Etruscan war ship sailing in the sea.

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The stela is quite unique for size, for the inscription and for the illustration it has on the main face. It is actually engraved with the image of a large Etruscan man-of-war at whose stern a helmsman grips the wheel and behind him two armed warriors stand with a cloaked figure; seven oars can be seen in the hull, although only three heads of oarsmen are visible. The scene probably refers to the occupation of the deceased, who is named on the other side of the stela: “(I am) the tomb of Vel Kaikna”, who may have been a captain in Etruria’s Adriatic fleet, ordered to defend the trade routes with Greece, which were connected via the port of Spina. The other side of the stela is split into four bands, with the top order depicting the deceased’s journey into the hereafter and, beneath it, scenes of solemn sports celebrated in his honour, in the presence of eminent public figures.

Provenance: Bologna, Giardini Margherita necropolis
Datation: Second half of the 5th century BC
Material: Sandstone
Dimensions: h cm 242
Inventory #: DUC 10