In the center of the project are various sculptural roof ornaments of imperial funerary architecture. By a systematic composition of the sculptural crowns of acroteria of imperial funerary stelae and monumental funerary architecture in Rome, Italy and the provinces of the Imperium Romanum, the various, regionally differing types are supposed to be summarized in a corpus. A series of independent studies, which mark the beginning of the investigations on sphinx and lion sculpture in funerary contexts, are going to be analyzed and sorted into monument groups. The main focus is the inner or so-called relative chronology. On those objects stylistic and formal criteria are clearer than ever before, which makes it possible to examine the development of form and decoration. By iconographic and typological research, the continuous development and change of the motives can be researched. A central goal is to understand the change in motives as a special form of cultural transfer. Further investigation will be focused on an art and architectural historic impact of the motives and elements in medieval and modern architecture