Marble Sarcophagus

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Discovered in 1889 during the demolition of an ancient tomb along a Roman road from Capranica to Vetralla, the marble garland sarcophagus depicts in “the best style of Roman art” (American Journal 220) a scene from the myth of Theseus and Ariadne. After acquisition by the Metropolitan Museum of Art a year later, a general background concerning the artifact was established. Originating sometime in the middle second century C.E during the Hadrianic or early Antonine period of the Roman Empire, the sarcophagus medium exists in Luni and Pentellic marble and stands 31 by 85 by 28 inches (McCann 27). The adornments upon the marble are many: the lid features winged erotes on chariots led by four different animals to represent the four seasons-bear for spring, bull for fall, lion for summer, and boar for winter (Hanfmann 180)-the front displays more erotes with “seasonal garlands composed of flowers, wheat, grapes, pomegranates, and laurel (McCann 33),” and the various scenes from the myth of Theseus above the swags but below the garlands from left to right show Ariadne giving Theseus the thread to navigate through the labyrinth, Theseus in battle with the minotaur of Crete, and Theseus gazing back at Ariadne as he leaves Naxos. In addition, a comic mask and a young satyr call the right side of the sarcophagus their home.

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