This chapter concerns Roman sculptors and considers whether sculptors in the Roman empire fit the modern criteria for the term ‘professional’, as has been developed in the sociology of modern professions. While the lack of a regulatory system governing stone carving practitioners in the Roman world might make it hard to fit them into most modern definitions of professionals, it is argued that Roman sculptors saw their work as skilled and used their specialist knowledge to obtain social and economic rewards.

We now know that in Classical Athens there were as many as 200 occupations. This essay shows that not all occupations enjoyed an equal amount of status and prestige. Four occupations are studied: actors, especially those in the Associations of Dionysiac Artists, philosophers, doctors, and sculptors. These occupations required extensive training and acquired some features associated with modern professions.

This chapter considers one particular piece of evidence for the perceived importance of artistic skill in the Greek world: the unrestricted mobility of artists. Skill is both a rare and portable commodity. High demand for skill may encourage travel, as artists are tempted by ever higher offers of pay in different locales. On the other hand, variable levels of demand may equally force artists to move in order to gain full employment. Crucially, the fact that Greek cities did not attempt to block the entry of foreign artists from hostile polities testifies to the widespread demand for skilled artists and the respect accorded to their craft.