Sarcophagus

Anthropoid sarcophagus discovered at Cádiz

A sarcophagus (plural:sarcophagi) is an above ground stone container for a coffin or body, that often is decorated with art, inscriptions and carvings. First used in Anciet Egypt and Greece, the sarcophagus gradually became popular throughout the ancient world and carried over through the later years of European society, often used for high status members of the clergy, government or aristocracy.

Eytmology

The word comes from the Greek "sarx" meaning "flesh," and "phagien" meaning "to eat," so that sarcophagus, literally translates as "eater of flesh." The 5th century B.C.E. Greek historian, Herodotus, noted that early sarcophagi (the plural) were carved from a special kind of rock that consumed the flesh of the corpse inside. In particular, coffins made of a limestone from Assus in the Troad known as lapis Assius had the property of consuming the bodies placed within them, and therefore was also called sarkophagos lithos (flesh-eating stone). All coffins made of limestone have this property to a greater or lesser degree, and the name eventually came to be applied to stone coffins in general.

Detail of a stone sarcophagus in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum showing a hunting scene.

Description

Sarcophagi differ in detail from one culture to another. They are almost always made of stone, limestone being the most popular, but also sometimes of granite, sandstone, or marble. Sarcophagi were usually made by being carved, decorated or built ornately. Some were built to be freestanding above ground, as a part of an elaborate tomb or tombs. Others were made for burial, or were placed in crypts.

The first were usually simple box shapes that could be inscribed upon. This was common in ancient Egypt, were a sarcophagus was usually the external layer of protection for a royal mummy, with several layers of coffins nested within, that also to protect dead bodies. Over time, the artistry on these boxes became more detailed, to include inset scupltures, seem frequently in Roman, and later, Catholic sarcophagi. The scupltures would often depict a scene from mythology, or in the case of Catholicism, scenes from the Bible. Some sarcophagi actually began to take on contours similar to the human body, and often were given a painted or sculpted face.

Examples

Below are a few examples of famous scarophagi from around the world.

Tutakhamun

Funerary chapel found in Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings (KV62). This was the outermost of the four chapels, the innermost one contained the pharaoh's sarcophagus.

Ahiram

Sarcophag of Ahiram, King of Biblos (Phoenicia) in XIII-X c. BC. Kept in Beirut National Museum

One of the ancient kings of Phoenica, Ahiram (King of Biblos as he was known then) was sealed for in a Late Bronze Age sarcophagus at some point during the early 10th century B.C.E. Upon discovery, the sarcophagus was subsequently moved to the Beirut National Museum, where it is now on display. To archaeologists, the sarcophagus represented a rare discovery in early Phoenician art and writing. It also is a classical example of the blending of styles, in which the box style sarcophagus is used, but intricate artwork is added around the sides.

The engraving text, in the Phoenician language says: "Coffin which Itthobaal son of Ahiram, king of Byblos, made for Ahiram his father, when he placed him for eternity. Now, if a king among kings, or a governor among governors or a commander of an army should come up against Byblos and uncover this coffin, may the sceptre of his rule be torn away, may the throne of his kingdom be overturned and may peace flee from Byblos. And as for him, may his inscription be effaced". This is apparently the oldest inscription in the Phoenician alphabet.

Sarcophagus of the Spouses

The Etruscan sarcophagus of the spouses, at the National Etruscan Museum

The "Sarcophagus of the Spouses" (Italian: Sarcofago degli Sposi) is a late 6th century B.C.E. Etruscan anthropoid sarcophagus. It is 1.14 m high by 1.9 m wide, and is made of painted terracotta. It depicts a married couple reclining at a banquet together in the afterlife (in a scene similar to that from contemporary Greek vases) and was found in 19th century excavations at the necropolis of Cerveteri (ancient Caere). It is now in the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia, Rome.

The smiling faces with their almond shaped eyes and long braided hair, as well as the shape of the feet of the bed, reveal Greek influence. The marked contrast between the high relief busts and the very flattened legs is typically Etruscan. The Etruscan artist's interest focused on the upper half of the figures, especially on the vibrant faces and gesticulating arms. It is very similar to the Sarcophagus from Cerveteri, perhaps by the same artist. Both portray the affection of a man and a woman, an image never before seen in the Greek culture.

St. Andrew

Photo of the St Andrew's Sarcophagus.

The Saint Andrews Sarcophagus is a Pictish monument dating from the middle of the 8th century. The sarcophagus was recovered beginning in 1833 during excavations by St Andrew's Cathedral, but it was not until 1922 that the surviving components were reunited. The sarcophagus is currently on display at the Cathedral museum in St Andrews, close to the site of its discovery. As originally constructed the sarcophagus would have comprised two side panels, two end panels, four corner pieces and a roof slab. The roof slab is entirely missing, as are most of one side and one end panel and a corner piece so that the extant sarcophagus is essentially L-shaped. The external dimensions of the sarcophagus are 177cm by 90cm and a height of 70cm. The stone used is a local sandstone.

The surviving side panel shows, from right to left, a figure breaking the jaws of a lion, a mounted hunter with his sword raised to strike a leaping lion, and hunter on foot, armed with a spear and assisted by a hunting dog, about to attack a wolf. Although it is not certain that the first two figures represent the same person, 19th century illustrations depict them as if they are. The surviving end panel is much simpler, essentially a cross with four small panels between the arms. The fragments of the missing end panel are similar, but not identical, to the surviving one.

Sarcofago di Stilicone

"Sarcofago di Stilicone" ("Stilicho's sarcophagus")

The so-called "Sarcofago di Stilicone" ("Stilicho's sarcophagus") is an Ancient Roman paleochristian sarcophagus dating from around 385 C.E., sculpted for a high-rank military authority and his wife. It is preserved beneath the pulpit of Sant'Ambrogio basilica in Milan, Italy, in the same spot where it was originally placed (which makes it the only original part of the paleochristian original basilica still in place).

Gallery

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  Ariadne and Dionysos. Front panel of a marble sarcophagus, early 3rd century AD. Found in 1804 at Saint-Médard d'Eyrans, France

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  Mummy cartonnage bearing the name of dame Tacheretpaankh. Glued, stuccoed and gilded layers of canvas, 3rd-1st centuries B.C.E.

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  Nuremberg, Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach, Sarcophagus, from north-east

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  Sarcophagus of archbishop of Olomouc Leopold Prečan in the crypt in Sts. Cyril and Methodius's church in Olomouc (Czech Republic).

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  Top of a sarcophagi in Laon's cathedral, Aisne, France

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  the grave of the famous major Franz Adickes of Frankfurt/main/germany

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  Lid of an Etruscan sarcophagus. Museum Santa Maria della Scala, Siena

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  Sarcophagus (3rd Century), portico of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Roma.

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  Porphyry Sarcophagus of emperor Constance of Sicily (1154-1198), in the Cathedral of Palermo (Sicily). Picture by Giovanni Dall'Orto

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  Tomb of Marcellus II, "grotte vaticane", Basilica di San Pietro

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  Istanbul Archaeological Museum. The so called "Sarcophagus of the mourning women". From the Royal necropolis of Sidon, 4th century B.C.E.

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  Weddings of Dionysos and Ariadne. The Latin inscription identifies the girl for whom this sarcophagus was made as Maconiana Severiana, member of a wealthy senatorial family. Ariadne's face was probably left unfinished to be completed as a portrait of Maconiana

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Budge, E. A. Wallis. 2004. The Sarcophagus of Anchnesraneferab Queen of Ahmes II King of Egypt. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 1417947608
• Grajetzki, Wolfram. 2003. Burial Customs in Ancient Egypt: Life in Death for Rich and Poor. Duckworth Publishers. ISBN 0715632175

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