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Roman

Sarcophagus (coffin), 2nd century CE

Now On View

Description

Maker

  • Unknown

Culture

Roman

Title

Sarcophagus (coffin)

Year

2nd century CE

Medium

Marble (from Dokimeion)

Materials/Techniques

Materials

  • marble

Dimensions

Trough: 85.5 x 233.1 x 107.7 cm (33 11/16 x 91 3/4 x 42 3/8 inches)

Place

Dokimeion, modern Afyon, Turkey

Type

  • Sculpture

Credit

Museum Appropriation Fund

Object Number

21.074

Projects & Publications

Publications

Roman Art

Romulus to Constantine

Classical Sculpture

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Ancient Greek and Roman Galleries

(Front) This is one of only a few sarcophagi bearing scenes of the Trojan War (thought to have occurred in the 13th or 12th century BCE). On the left the Greek hero Achilles fights the bearded Trojan prince Hector. To the right is a scene that follows their battle: Achilles in his chariot drags Hector’s dead body around the walls of Troy, while the goddess Athena (the backer of Achilles), Hector’s father, King Priam, and Hector’s wife, Andromache (seated), watch. These scenes occur in Book 22 of The Iliad, the epic poem about the Trojan War ascribed to the Greek poet Homer (8th century BCE).

(Back) The decorative elements of a sarcophagus were often chosen for their symbolic value, and used to communicate the personal attributes and values of the deceased. Battle and hunt scenes, like those featured on this sarcophagus, emphasize the deceased’s courage and virility. On this side, three cupids are shown spearing a lion and lioness with the assistance of three dogs.

(Right Short Side) While this sarcophagus cannot be attributed to a specific artist, the structural details of its form and decoration suggest that it may have been carved by an Asiatic workshop. As the funerary art of Asia Minor often emphasized the personality of the deceased by representing him either in glorious action or with noble attributes, the short sides of this sarcophagus can be interpreted as honorific scenes of personal culture and bravery. Here, two youths face each other from either side of a rectangular pillar; the youth on the right receives a lyre with one hand. By alluding to his cultural sophistication and intellect, this scene communicates the social status of the deceased.

(Left Short Side) It was common for sarcophagi produced within a workshop to have been carved by several artists, each with their own technique and style. These variations often result in a disconnected iconography that is difficult to interpret, as in the case with the short sides of this sarcophagus. On

Weiss Ancient Art Gallery

Use

The images on this website can enable discovery and collaboration and support new scholarship, and we encourage their use. This object is in the public domain (CC0 1.0). This object is Sarcophagus (coffin) with the accession number of 21.074. To request high-resolution files or new photography, please send an email to imagerequest@risd.edu and include your name and the object's accession number.

Feedback

We view our online collection as a living documents, and our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you have additional information or have spotted an error, please send feedback to curatorial@risd.edu.

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