Sarcophagus with non-pertinent lid found during the restoration of Saint Eustachio Church in Rome, under Clemente XI, 1703.
The Lid
The long side of the roof-shaped lid has a wide face divided into five compartments, two gable-shaped at the ends, and one lunette-shaped in the middle, separated by two smaller sections, in form resembling antefixes. A molding runs along the whole upper edge, and a projecting edge limits the field at the base. The short ends are left rough. The reliefs represent, from left to right:
1. The three Fates standing, draped; on left, Clotho spinning, in centre, Lachesis with a pair of scales and a cornucopia (the attributes of Fortune), on right Atropos ; they are flanked by the kneeling figures of a woman, with coiffure of the Antonine period, and of a man, who appear to entreat them.
2. A veiled and draped figure, probably representing the woman's Soul, moving to right.
3. Hades and Persephone, seated on a double throne, bearing scepters, appear to welcome the figure last mentioned. Hades is nude but for himation round his knees and over left shoulder, Persephone is veiled and fully draped. To right of Hades are a garlanded altar with burning offering, and the dog Cerberus; to left of Persephone, a Cupid advancing with a bowl, and a thymiaterion, on which rests a vase wherein incense is burning.
4. Hermes Psychopompus approaches central group, looking back over his shoulder. He wears winged petasos, bears staff and caduceus, and his feet are also winged.
5. A man and woman seated on a couch, she about to rise, he apparently remonstrating. To their right a dog howling.
The scenes appear to refer to the death of a wife; in scene 1 she and her husband implore the Fates for delay; in 2 she is proceeding to obey the summons of Hermes; in 3 is shown the scene in the lower world ; in 5 her husband endeavors to restrain her from departing.
The work (second century AD.) is moderate but interesting, for its dramatic presentment of the reluctance and grief at the inevitable parting.
Apparently the lid was found with the body of the sarcophagus.
The Sarcophagus
The long side of the sarcophagus represents two scenes from the myth of Selene and Endymion, separated by an upright figure of Aura, who is winged and wears a short chiton with diplois and kolpos, and buskins.
The scene on the right comes first in point of time. At the corner is represented Endymion lying asleep on his left elbow, his right arm thrown up behind his head. Two spears are held in his left hand. His cloak is under him, one end over the left thigh, the other raised by two Erotes. Above is a half-figure of Hypnos, with butterfly's wings on shoulders and bearded winged head; he wears a long-sleeved garment with short-sleeved tunic above it; his right hand holds a plant (probably poppy) and left supports his head. To his right is seated a figure on small scale, probably representing Mt. Latmos. Selene, alighting from her chariot, steps towards Endymion from the left. She wears a long chiton with kolpos, slipping from the right shoulder, and grasps in each hand the ends of a large scarf or mantle, which blows out behind her, forming a crescent-shaped frame for her head. A crescent on her forehead marks her identity. Two Erotes fly above her and hold her drapery. Her chariot, adorned with a relief of a centaur, the axle decorated with the mask of an animal, is drawn by two horses, the reins held by an Eros. Beneath appears a tree-trunk, above is a small half-figure of a woman attired like Selene.
The scene on the left shows to the right a bald and bearded old shepherd seated and bending towards his dog, who sits expectantly before him. In front of, and above, this group is a flock of three goats, two rams, and a sheep, arranged in three tiers, with rocks, trees, and an altar with offerings on the topmost tier. To the left, Selene, attired as before, steps into her chariot, grasping the reins, and looking back as the horses begin to rise. Above flies an Eros. Beneath the horses, the head and shoulders of Ge rise from the ground, framed in crescent-shaped drapery; she raises eyes and hand towards Selene.
The sarcophagus probably belongs to the late second or early third century AD.
Source: H. Stuart Jones, “The sculptures of the Museo Capitolino”
Marble roman sarcophagus
Height 66 cm., length 240 cm., depth of side 80 cm.
Late 2nd - early 3rd century AD
From the church of S. Eustachio, Rome.
Sarcophagus lid - Luna marble
Height 32 cm., length 2,35 m.
2nd century AD
From the church of S. Eustachio, Rome.
Rome, Museo Capitolini, Palazzo Nuovo, Sala del Fauno
